Resettlement of IDPs goes on apace:

GAs in North take TNA MPs to task

by P. Krishnaswamy

Northern province civil administrative authorities have refuted media reports of TNA Parliamentarians alleging that relief and livelihood facilities have not reached the majority of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and that some of them were living in distressing conditions in jungle areas and by the roadside. They also debunked a UN claim in its recent report that 117,888 IDPs are yet to be resettled and said that this could mislead the international community.

Vavuniya GA P.S.M.Charles, Jaffna GA Imelda Sukumar, Kilinochchi GA Rupawathy Ketheeswaran and Mannar GA N. Vedanayagam told the Sunday Observer that they are in charge of the resettlement of IDPs, which includes the provision of infrastructure facilities, relief assistance and the implementation of long-term programs for their livelihood.

They work in coordination with the relevant provincial and central government Ministries and other higher authorities.

They maintain records of the IDPs already resettled, their living conditions and relief and rehabilitation assistance extended to them.

They said that some of the IDPs may be living with relatives or friends on their own free will and this by no means implied that they were not provided assistance for rehabilitation and resettlement. They cannot be compelled to return to their original villages/homes because that would amount to a HR violation, they said.

The Government has implemented programs on providing infrastructure facilities while long-term programs for livelihood facilities are under implementation, they said.

.Jaffna GA Imelda Sukumar said that only 15,495 families consisting of 56,000 IDPs are yet to be resettled in the district, and not 94,371 as stated in the UN report, and the resettlement process is being expedited following the removal of the High Security Zones ( HSZs) after 20 years.

Resettlement in nine GS Divisions which were in the HSZ has been completed, she said. Government programs on providing infrastructure facilities, including cooperative shops, schools, roads, water and sanitation have been implemented with provision of relief and rehabilitation assistance. The World Bank recently allocated Rs. 1,500 million and they were happy with the work that has been accomplished in the infrastructure sector. Of the 60,000 houses to be constructed, 10,000 are nearing completion and work on the others are being expedited, she said.

The initial payment of Rs. 5,000 was made to all families who were resettled and the remaining Rs. 20,000 has to be paid by UNICEF. The Jaffna city and other parts of the district are bustling with life with people moving about freely, she said.

Vavuniya GA P.S.M. Charles said that the Menik Farm welfare centre which, at the inception, housed over 300,000 IDPs has only 14,000 who lived in highly mined areas of Mullaitivu and they were being provided all facilities. They also are free to leave the welfare centre to work or attend to other personal matters. UN officials and the District Secretariat worked hand-in-hand in the resettlement process and everybody knows to what extent the Government and the rehabilitation authorities did in providing rehabilitation and resettlement assistance to the IDPs, she said.

Kilinochchi GA Rupawathy Ketheeswaran said that 37,515 families consisting of 118,918 IDPs in her district have been already resettled in their own villages and homes. Resettlement in Muhamalai, Kilali and Vembadukerni areas is being delayed due to de-mining operations which is due to be completed soon , she said. Her office had not received any complaints from IDPs or reports from Grama Niladharis that displaced people are living in temporary roadside sheds or in jungle areas, she said.

Mannar GA N.Vedanayagam said that only 300 families need to be resettled in the Mullikulam GS division as all others have been resettled.