Lifeline Daily Radio Show #151 (17 August 2009)
Heavy rains have affected Zone 4 of Manik Farm and IDPs may be moved if flooding worsens, while a donation from Japan is helping improve drains and rubbish disposal. The US is working alongside the GoSL and other agencies to help the reintegration of former combatants back into the community. And a mobile medical service for elders in the camps is looking for more translators.
- IDPs in Zone 4 may be moved if rains continue
- USAID working closely with government to reintegrate ex-combatants
- Translators needed for elders’ medical service
- Lrs117million for hygiene facilities
IDPs in Zone 4 may be moved if rains continue
Vavuniya Government Agent, Mrs P.S.M Charles has been given permission to rehouse those affected by four days of rain.Mrs.Charles stated that only Zone 4 was affected and other camps were under control. New tarpaulin sheets have been provided and IDPs have been moved to another shelter but if rains continue, the GA will move affected IDPs to permanent locations. People have been provided with a spade to create sand banks to prevent water entering the tents. All toilets were cleaned yesterday and gully suckers were used to empty the toilets. For the first two days of the rain, affected people were given cooked meals until kitchens were made ready and people could cook for themselves. Yesterday 500 people were given cooked meals and all humanitarian agencies gave their full support.
USAID working closely with government to reintegrate ex-combatants
Part 2 of an interview with Rebecca Cohn, Director of Mission for USAID
Do you have any specific work plans to assist ex-combatants?
“We do. We are working closely with the government and UN agencies on a national framework for a Sri Lankan strategy for the ex-combatants under the leadership of Minister Samarasinghe. We are also having good discussions with the new Minister of Justice who is responsible for reintegration of ex-combatants in the North. We have proposed and received approval for funding to work with the ex-combatants in the North. We are trying to work closely with other countries to encourage them also to partner with us to help reintegrate the people who have been identified as ex-combatants.”
As a very big donor agency for Sri Lanka how do you hope to see this country in 5 years time?
“Myself, my agency and our government look forward to a peaceful and prosperous Sri Lanka and that there has been a process of political reconciliation and that every citizen is able to participate and enjoy living and prospering in this beautiful and wonderful country.”
What is the importance of information to IDPs?
“I am very pleased that USAID is able to support Lifeline through Internews. It is extremely important work. The IDPs need information. They want to know where their family members are, when they are going to be going home. The information will give them security and peace of mind. When Assistant Secretary of State, Eric Schwartz was here, we went together to Manik Farm along with the US Embassy charge and saw the conditions in the camps, in Manik Farm in particular. Assistant Secretary Schwartz talked to the IDPs and they asked him when could they be reunited with their familes, when were they going to be going home? We went to meet with the President and Assistant Secretary Schwartz brought up this point, about how information could play such an important role in reassuring the IDPs of what the future holds for them and the President really agreed with that. So I am confident that Lifeline will have the full support of the GoSL.”
Translators needed for elders’ medical service
The Helpage organization has been providing a mobile medical service to the IDPs in Vavuniya for the past month. The service provides eye and blood tests and distributes spectacles for the elders who are more than 55 years old. Every day, 50 people receive eye tests and around 100 are getting general check-ups. Helpage Project Coordinator Mr.Ganesaratnam says: “Every day, people are waiting for this mobile service vehicle to get medicines. Patients suffering from depression, physical injuries, eye diseases and scabies are being treated by our mobile medical service. But we need more staff to expand this service, especially the translators, because most of the doctors are Sinhalese, so patients are struggling to explain about their diseases.”
Japanese donation to fund rubbish removal, drainage and water distribution
The Japanese government has given LRs117million to improve hygiene facilities for the IDPs in Vavuniya welfare camps. Provincial Council Minister Janaka Bandara Tennakoon says: “This fund will be spent to remove the rubbish, water distribution, drainage and for other hygiene facilities. Some will be spent on the furniture for the newly established health offices as well and we have planned to distribute uniforms for health staff with this fund. We are committed to provide all hygiene facilities to the IDPs who are inside the welfare camps.
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