SRI LANKA - EARTHQUAKE AND TSUNAMIS:

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 05 COLOMBO 000051

SIPDIS

AIDAC

STATE ALSO PASS TO USAID
STATE FOR TSUNAMI TASK FORCE 1
USAID/W FOR A/AID ANDREW NATSIOS, JBRAUSE
DCHA/OFDA GGOTTLIEB, MMARX, RTHAYER, BDEEMER
AID/W FOR DCHA/OFDA
TSUNAMI RESPONSE MANAGEMENT TEAM

SIPDIS
DCHA/FFP FOR LAUREN LANDIS
DCHA BUREAU FOR ASSISTANT ADMINISTRATOR ROGER WINTER
ANE DEPUTY ASSISTANT ADMINISTRATOR MARK WARD
BANGKOK FOR OFDA SENIOR REGIONAL ADVISOR TOM DOLAN
KATHMANDU FOR OFDA REGIONAL ADVISOR WILLIAM BERGER
GENEVA FOR USAID KYLOH
ROME PASS FODAG
USEU BRUSSELS FOR USEC
NSC FOR MELINE
CDR USPACOM FO J3/J4/POLAD

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: CASC EAID AEMR PREL PGOV
SUBJECT: SRI LANKA - EARTHQUAKE AND TSUNAMIS:
USAID/DART SITREP #3

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SUMMARY
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1. As of January 7, according to the Center for
National Operations (CNO),the earthquake and tsunamis
killed 30,680 people in Sri Lanka. On January 6,
Senators Frist and Landrieu, along with the U.S.
Ambassador and USAID representatives, including the
USAID/Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance
(OFDA) Director and USAID/DART leader, conducted a
successful trip to Galle and Ampara District. A CNO
officer will be assigned to each camp housing
displaced persons to coordinate relief efforts with
the Sri Lankan military. The U.N. World Food Program
(WFP) will provide 62,000 metric tons (MT) of food for
750,000 beneficiaries between now and June 1. There
are no disease outbreaks in Sri Lanka. The CNO will
provide figures on the numbers of orphaned children in
Sri Lanka in the coming days. End summary.

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DEATH TOLLS
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2. The CNO, which is responsible for the overall
coordination of the relief effort in Sri Lanka,
reports that as of January 7, the earthquake and
tsunamis killed 30,680 people, injured 16,760

SIPDIS
residents, displaced 578,224 persons, completely
damaged 93,054 houses, and partially damaged 21,885
houses. Currently there are 4,883 persons missing.
According to the CNO, there are 611 camps housing
displaced persons.

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Visit of Senators Frist and Landrieu
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3. On January 6, Senators Bill Frist and Mary
Landrieu, accompanied by the U.S. Ambassador and USAID
representatives, including the USAID/Colombo Mission
Director, USAID/OFDA Director, USAID/DART Team Leader,
USAID/Colombo Health and Humanitarian Activities
Program Officer (HHPO),and USAID/OFDA External
Liaison Officer, visited Galle in southern Sri Lanka.
The USAID/Colombo HHPO traveled to Galle in advance of
this visit to coordinate activities in preparation for
the visit and led the group in their tour of the
affected areas. The group viewed the damage in Galle
from the air, and then proceeded to a Sri Lankan Red
Cross/Red Crescent mobile medical unit, where the
senators interacted with patients and responders.
Senator Frist donated approximately 30 quote CamelBak
end quote backpacks to relief workers to ensure they
would have fresh water during recovery work.


4. The group then visited Sarvodaya, a Sri Lankan
non-governmental organization (NGO),and formally
presented Pedialyte that was donated by Abbott
Laboratories and shipped free of charge to Sri Lanka
by Fed Ex. Senator Frist noted that this was a
perfect example of government, the private sector, and
NGOs working together. At Sarvodaya, Senator Frist
also announced that his charitable organization quote
World of Hope end quote pledged USD 25,000 to
Sarvodaya for assistance with children.


5. The group then traveled by helicopter to the
Ampara District in southeastern Sri Lanka, one of the
most affected areas of the country. The group visited
Kalmunai hospital where they met with medical staff
and patients. The group then traveled to a CARE
distribution center to assist with deliveries of
clothing and soap. Senator Landrieu expressed concern
for those children who were orphaned due to the
earthquake and tsunamis and stressed that orphaned
children should not be institutionalized.


6. During this trip the senators viewed firsthand,
from the air and on the ground, the damage caused by
the earthquake and tsunamis. According to the
USAID/OFDA Director, the senators were extremely
impressed with the USG combined response and
complimented the USAID/DART for the quick and
effective response in the aftermath of the disaster.

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Internally Displaced Persons
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7. According to the CNO, a CNO officer will be
appointed to each camp housing internally displaced
persons (IDPs) to coordinate assistance with the Sri
Lankan military. The CNO officer assigned to the
camps will report his/her assessments to the CNO IDP
desk at CNO headquarters in Colombo. The CNO reported
that there are currently 611 camps housing displaced
persons. The CNO advised that there are between 4,000
and 5,000 people at larger camps who need health
support.


8. The CNO is addressing the issue of legal ownership
of lands and is determining how to offer assistance to
displaced persons. The CNO is considering a start-up
package that will include basic supplies such as
phones, cooking utensils, sleeping supplies etc. This
package will target those individuals who are able to
return back to their homes. Additionally, the CNO is
in discussions with international organizations to
obtain family-size tents, and has obtained 4,000 tents
from international organizations. However, additional
tents are needed for those IDPs who have legal land in
restricted areas. The CNO has identified land
required for resettlement and is trying to resettle
families on lands owned by the Government of Sri Lanka
(GOSL) in unrestricted areas. The CNO anticipates
that it may have to manage large camps for more than
one month. As a result, the CNO needs large kitchens
for the larger camps in eastern Sri Lanka that will be
able to serve three meals a day to 2,000 people.


9. The CNO reported that it will take four to five
months to complete permanent structures for IDPs. In
the interim, the GOSL hopes to utilize alternative
methods to relocate IDPs. The CNO advised that in the
coming days, the GOSL will announce alternative land
arrangements for those residents who lived close to
coastal areas.

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Food
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10. The CNO stated that the Ministry of Relief,
Reconstruction, and Reconciliation (RRR) and other
GOSL ministries, in conjunction with WFP, the U.N.
Children's Fund (UNICEF),and the U.N. High
Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR),conducted food
distributions of rice, sugar, dhal, and wheat flour
throughout the country, particularly in eastern Sri
Lanka. The CNO reported that they are hoping to add
additional animal protein to the food baskets, since
currently only vegetable protein is available from the
dhal. The CNO is also trying to ensure that there
will be no shortages of infant milk food. The CNO is
currently evaluating food stocks and will coordinate
distributions with camp managers.


11. According to a WFP representative in Colombo, WFP
initially provided food for 15-day ration; however,
WFP recently obtained approval for a regional response
and will provide 62,000 MT of food to 750,000
beneficiaries under a quote light end quote food-for-
work program. The cost of the program is USD 35
million. WFP will serve 30 percent of beneficiaries
between now and March, and will serve the remaining 70
percent of beneficiaries from April 1 to June 30.

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Water and Sanitation
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12. On January 6, the USAID/DART Water and Sanitation
Officer (WSO) attended a meeting at the CNO where an
update on water and sanitation activities was
presented. The CNO reviewed damage sustained by
distribution systems, main lines, bridge crossings,
and pump houses in nine districts.


13. According to the CNO, the immediate needs in IDP
camps are being met with available resources. Water
is being tankered to the camps, and temporary toilets
are being utilized. The USAID/DART WSO reported that
discussions are being held at the ministry level
regarding the magnitude and amounts of damage caused
by the earthquake and tsunamis, inventory of available
external assistance, assistance for urgent
requirements, and allocation of work based upon needs.


14. The CNO identified the following immediate needs
for camps: 100 water storage tanks, 10 water trucks,
16,000 temporary toilet units, 3,200 urinals, and
washing facilities. Needs in affected areas include:
water trucks until repairs can be completed, well
cleaning (out of 12,130 wells, an estimated 11,470
wells must still be cleaned) and repairs to toilets.
According to the CNO, all urgent repairs to piped
water systems have been completed. The USAID/DART is
working with partners to fund activities, including
the provision of water and construction of latrines.
The USAID/DART expects that all funding and equipment
needs will be met by NGOs and other donors.


15. The CNO reported that medium and long term needs
include making improvements to existing water systems,
new water supply to the permanent settlements, and
repairs to the remaining toilets that do not need
immediate repair. According to the CNO, the estimated
cost of well cleaning is USD 73,000, and the estimated
cost for repairs to the pipes is USD 4.7 million. The
estimated costs for long-term improvements to the
water system are USD 250 million, and the estimated
costs for improvements to the sanitation system are
USD 4.4 million. USAID/Colombo will be reviewing
long-term infrastructure needs as part of their
strategic plan.

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Health
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16. According to the CNO, there have been no disease
outbreaks in Sri Lanka, and only isolated cases of
diarrhea.


17. The CNO reported that the Ministry of Health
(MOH) has dispatched assessment teams to numerous
districts, and the results of rapid assessments will
be available in the next 48 hours. MOH personnel have
already determined that there are enough medical
personnel operating in Sri Lanka, and there is no
longer a need for additional medical teams; however,
due to the psycho-social affects of the earthquake and
tsunamis, there is a need for psychiatrists who are

SIPDIS
culturally sensitive. The USAID/DART is exploring
options for contributing to the psycho-social needs
response.

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Protection
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18. The CNO's Child Protection section is in the
process of compiling a profile on the number of
children who have lost one or more parents. These
figures will be available in the coming days. Through
the National Child Protection Authority (NCPA),the
CNO is trying to establish foster homes and safe
shelters. The GOSL and UNICEF are also distributing
information leaflets on child protection in the camps.
The USAID/DART is funding an implementing partner to
support the unification of infants and children with
their families and providing child-friendly spaces for
displaced children.

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Damage to Schools
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19. According to the CNO, there are 9,970 schools in
Sri Lanka, and the earthquake and tsunamis partially
or completely destroyed 169 schools. Currently IDPs
are occupying 244 schools. The CNO reported that the
majority of schools will re-open on January 10. The
CNO is investigating alternate schooling facilities
for those districts where schools are occupied by
IDPs.
LUNSTEAD