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| Sunday, 15 June 2003 |
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| News Business Features Editorial
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After the floods : Focus now on rehabilitation needs By Chamikara Weerasinghe With a semblance of normalcy restored in the flood-affected areas in the districts of Ratnapura, Kalutara, Galle, Matara and Hambantota, the focus is now on rehabilitation needs that call for proper impact assessments, funds, and technical assistance. The 39,554 families rendered homeless have to be resettled, 153 schools have to be reconstructed, and health, water and sanitation need to be returned to normal. According to National Disaster Management Committee sources, more than 150,000 schoolchildren have been displaced in the five districts. The Committee estimates that Rs. 2,780,670,700 would be required for longterm re-construction and rehabilitation. How will the authorities use the funds, manage and rehabilitate the flood-hit regions? The following are excerpts from an interview with the Secretary of the Social Welfare Ministry Mrs. Viji Jegarasasingam, and Director of the Disaster Management Committee, Mr. N.D. Hettiarachchi. Q: What is the total quantum of funds that the country has received so far from the foreign donors to help the flood victims.? Mrs. Jegarasasingam: I cannot give you an exact figure on that because funds are still coming in. And some international agencies have made their donations to other ministries. All we get as funds will go to the Treasury , and we take money from the Treasury, according to a procedure. Recently we received US $ 30,000 from China, US $ 25,000 from the Royal Thai Embassy , and US $ 100,000 from Japan. Q: Do you expect more funds.? A: Yes, because we forwarded a letter to the Permanent Commission in Geneva on June 11, requesting funds for our rehabilitation programs. We have sent copies of impact assessment on the situation to a number of international funding monitors on their request. We await their response. Q: How much funds have been given so far to the affected districts. ? A: We have sent Rs. 18,892,000 as emergency relief for the Ratnapura district, Rs. 4,985,000 for Kalutara, Rs. 11, 265,000 for Galle, Rs. 8,350,000 for Matara, and Rs. 800,000 for Hambantota. Q: There have been incidents where the aid has not reached the flood victims, reportedly because of various malpractices by some local authorities and village-based officers. Your comments on that? A: There have been some minor incidents like that, but nothing that can hamper our efforts. Q: How do you plan to rehabilitate the affected districts.? A: We have a planned approach for rehabilitation. Resettling those who have lost their houses is on the priority list under that plan. Reconstructing the schools that have been destroyed by the floods is also a priority. Q: What is the support you get from the government? A: Mr. Hettiarachchi: The government has agreed in principal to give Rs. 100,000 to each of the 1,000 families whose houses have been totally destroyed by the floods. The government will also grant money to repair the houses which have been partly destroyed. Q: In what way are the children being helped? A: We have arranged a special program with the World Food Program (WFP) to give away nutritious biscuits and school uniforms, shoes, and text books for children. It will get started by the end of this week. The WFP has introduced "Food for Work", a program aimed at getting the public back at work. Under the 'flood for Work' program, food parcels to the value of Rs. 4,000 will be distributed to workers. Q: Have you got the necessary lands for resettlement plans?" A: We have identified the lands , and we have taken steps to acquire them. Q: How do you plan to overcome problems of health, drinking water and sanitation that have upsurged in the flood-hit districts? A: We had requested the Health Ministry to collect data relevant to cleaning of wells in flood affected-areas. Health authorities are closely monitoring the situation, and they are now being emptied and chlorinated. |
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