SRI LANKA - EARTHQUAKE AND TSUNAMIS:

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 07 COLOMBO 000082

SIPDIS

STATE ALSO PASS TO USAID
STATE FOR TSUNAMI TASK FORCE 1
USAID/W FOR A/AID ANDREW NATSIOS, JBRAUSE
USEU BRUSSELS FOR USEC
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
NSC FOR MELINE
CDR USPACOM FO J3/J4/POLAD

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: CASC EAID AEMR PREL PGOV CE MV
SUBJECT: SRI LANKA - EARTHQUAKE AND TSUNAMIS:
USAID/DART SITREP #5

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SUMMARY
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1. As of January 10, according to the Center for
National Operations (CNO),the earthquake and tsunamis
had killed 30,725 people in Sri Lanka. The
USAID/Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART)
conducted an assessment trip in Galle and concluded
that water supply is not a critical need, but
sanitation remains an issue. The USAID/DART is
coordinating a prospective temporary shelter program
with non-governmental organizations (NGOs). According
to the USAID/DART, NGOs and the Government of Sri
Lanka (GOSL) continue to be extremely interested in
using U.S. Military air assets to transport relief
supplies, and the USAID/DART continues to act as a
liaison in this area. To emphasize the importance of
psycho-social issues in tsunami relief efforts, the
USAID/DART hosted a meeting with the international
relief community, NGOs, and Sri Lankan Government
agencies to ensure coordination in this area. USAID's
Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) will
provide USD 10,000,000 in immediate disaster relief
funding to implement a community-focused, micro-credit
scheme that will immediately help families,
communities, cooperatives, and small businesses
rebuild in the aftermath of the earthquake and
tsunamis. End summary.

SIPDIS

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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 10 at 1700 hours local
time, the earthquake and tsunamis had killed 30,725
people, injured 15,122 residents, displaced 491,008
persons, completely damaged 88,506 houses, and
partially damaged 28,854 houses. Currently there are
5,903 persons missing. According to the CNO, there
are 523 camps housing displaced persons.

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USAID/DART Visit to Galle - January 8
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3. On January 8, five Los Angeles County Emergency
Team USAID/DART members traveled to Galle District in
southern Sri Lanka to meet with the U.S. Marine
Logistical Regiment 2 (MLR2) regarding structural
assessments in the region. The assessment team met
with the U.S. Military in Hikkaduwa near Galle and was
advised that the MLR2 was currently involved in rubble
removal in Galle and Matara districts, but had not
conducted assessments of damaged structures in the
area. During the team's visit to Galle, they observed
sewer and drainage systems being cleared in
Balapitiya, roads and bridges being repaired in
Ambalangoda, and buildings being stripped of damaged
materials and new walls being constructed in Kosgoda.
In the community of Beruwala, where the majority of
the fishing fleet was grounded and/or destroyed, the
team observed cranes moving boats from beaches and
placing them on flatbed trucks for transport. In
general, the team observed community rebuilding in
virtually every community and village on the route
from Galle to Colombo.

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USAID/DART Assessment Trip to Galle - January 9
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4. On January 9, the USAID/DART Water and Sanitation
Officer (WSO),USAID/DART Information Officer (IO),
USAID/DART Legislative and Public Affairs Officer
(LPAO),and USAID/DART Administrative Assistant
traveled to Galle in southern Sri Lanka via U.S.
Military transport to assess the damage caused by the
earthquake and tsunamis and visit camps operated by
USAID/OFDA implementing partners.


5. While in Galle, the USAID/DART WSO and USAID/DART
IO met with a Galle District Secretary/Government
Agent (DS) and U.N. Development Program (UNDP)
representative to discuss the water and sanitation
situation in Galle. The DS advised that water was not
a problem in Galle, and the Government of Austria had
provided water purifying plants. The DS reported that
the number of camps in Galle is now down to 100 from
an initial 182 camps, and there are now 28,000 people
in the camps. The DS stated that most schools will
restart during the week of January 10, and those
internally displaced persons (IDPs) that are located
in schools are being moved to other locations. The DS
noted that the Galle local government had received
1,000 tents from Colombo that will serve as shelter
for those people who must be relocated from camps that
are in schools. The DS said that the Galle local
government is trying to establish temporary camps in
public buildings or abandoned school buildings, and
displaced persons will be provided with dry rations
and kitchen utensils until they can be provided with
permanent housing.


6. The DS noted that at the present, sanitation is
not a major problem, but a permanent solution will be
necessary in the near future. The GOSL is providing
one set of latrines (one male, one female) for every
25 people in camps. The GOSL is also building
latrines and has already started construction with the
assistance of the Indian Army.


7. According to the DS, in general, the main problem
in Galle is resettling IDPs, and trying to restore
basic services. The Galle local government is
currently conducting a survey of residents in Galle to
identify the most important needs. In addition, in
conjunction with the Urban Development Authority, the
Galle local government is attempting to plan urban
areas for the future.


8. According to the DS, the GOSL has decided not to
construct any buildings within 100 meters of the
coast. In lowland areas, buildings will have to be at
least one meter above sea level. According to the DS,
since land is limited, the GOSL prefers that any new
buildings be at least three stories high.


9. Based upon the USAID/WSO's observations in Galle
and through discussions with various local
authorities, water supply is not a critical need.
However, sanitation is still an issue, and human waste
and solid waste removal are a concern. The USAID/DART
will continue to focus upon sanitation and the
rehabilitation of existing solid waste systems,
construction of new solid waste systems, and pumping
of sewage facilities. The USAID/DART will continue to
find implementing partners to work in these areas, and
if possible combine relief activities in this sector
with cash-for-work.

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USAID/DART Visit to Sri Lankan Red Cross Camps
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10. On January 9, the USAID/DART WSO and USAID/DART
IO visited the Sri Pushparama Malwenna Temple near
Hikkaduwa north of Galle. The Malwenna Temple is
currently serving as an IDP camp, and 187 families are
registered at the camp. Many registered IDPs live
outside the camp but receive assistance from the camp.
The USAID/DART members visited the camp just following
a distribution of USAID/OFDA emergency relief supplies
and was advised by an American Red Cross (ARC)
representative that each of the 187 families received
two water containers and one hygiene kit (USAID/OFDA
emergency relief supplies) as well as two blankets and
one kitchen set (both items provided by the Dutch Red
Cross),which will serve a family of five. This was a
one-time distribution of relief supplies. The ARC
representative also stated the IDPs were requesting tents.


11. During this visit, the USAID/DART WSO examined
the water and sanitation situation at the camp. There
were 250 people residing at the camps, but only two
out of four available latrines were usable. [Note.
According to International Sphere Minimum Standards,
there should be 13 latrines for 250 people. End
Note.] Water was available at two water points, and
the USAID/DART WSO tested the water and reported that
it was adequately chlorinated.


12. The USAID/DART WSO and USAID/DART IO also visited
a camp at Kovilagodella Temple in Mahamodera, Galle.
The camp initially housed 110 families, but now only
38 families remain. The Sri Lankan Red Cross (SRC),
in conjunction with the Water Board, is providing
water to the camp. A camp manager noted that cooked
food is provided to the families that reside at the
camp, and dry rations are provided to those who come
to the camp for relief assistance.

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USAID/DART Coordination with the U.S. Military and
NGOs
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13. Between January 9 and 10, a USAID/DART Military
Liaison Officer (MLO) coordinated helicopter transport
with the U.S. Military for U.S. Senators and
Congressmen as well as the transport of relief
supplies for Adventist Development and Relief Agency
International (ADRA),Mercy Corps, and the U.N. World
Health Organization (WHO). According to the
USAID/DART MLO, to date, the U.S. Military, via HH-60
Blackhawk helicopter, has transported 17 metric tons
(MT) of emergency relief supplies.


14. According to the USAID/DART, NGOs and the GOSL
continue to be extremely interested in using U.S.
Military air assets to transport relief supplies, and
the USAID/DART continues to coordinate effectively
with NGOs, the GOSL, and the U.S. Military in this
area. According to the USAID/DART, currently, there
is a lull in air transport needs, but in the next few
days this will change. USAID/OFDA expects to transport
1,000 rolls of plastic sheeting, and the GOSL is
planning to move many of the supplies donated from
around the world.

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Protection
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15. On January 9 the USAID/DART, in conjunction with
USAID/Colombo, hosted a meeting of international and
national relief organizations and GOSL authorities to
address general principles and practicalities of
integrating a psycho-social focus into tsunami relief
efforts. The meeting was attended by more than 20
NGOs and governmental agencies, including
representatives from the Ministry of Health (MOH),
National Child Protection Authority (NCPA),and the
Psycho-social desk of the CNO.


16. During the meeting two presentations were made:
the first presentation was an overview of the
psychological impact of the tsunami, and presenters
described the emotions of grief, hopelessness,
frustration and confusion that tsunami victims may be
feeling. The presentation considered psycho-social
program elements that humanitarian agencies are
encouraged to incorporate in their ongoing relief
operations. The second presentation was focused upon
the trafficking of persons and children, which is a
potential risk to disaster victims, who are living in
communities where normal systems of protection may
have been weakened or disrupted.


17. During a discussion period, many agencies spoke
about ongoing coordination efforts among agencies
previously working in the psycho-social sphere related
to the civil war in Sri Lanka. The Psycho-social
Forum, a consortium of agencies working in the field,
stated that four working groups (for psycho-social
well-being, mental health, protection and violence,
and needs assessment) have been established and are
open for participation and networking. Save the
Children-United Kingdom (SC-UK) stated that they have
been working in coordination with the U.N. Children's
Fund (UNICEF) and the NCPA to compile a registration
list of all orphaned children in disaster affected
zones. At present, the list is approximately 50
percent complete.


18. Representatives of the Psycho-social Desk at the
CNO reported that they have established a desk for the
coordination of psycho-social efforts in the ongoing
disaster response. Compiled resources and links are
available to all agencies via the CNO website. A
representative of the MOH stated that GOSL mental
health workers from around the county have been
dispatched to damage-affected areas to support their
colleagues in providing mental health coordination and
assistance to victims. The NCPA informed the meeting
participants about existing training modules and
manuals they have developed to facilitate training for
agencies working in fields of child protection and
anti-trafficking.


19. At the conclusion of the meeting, USAID
representatives restated to agencies that they were
not creating a secondary coordinating structure in
this area of activity. Instead, USAID hoped to
highlight these critical issues for humanitarian
organizations to ensure that links are established
between the international relief community, Sri Lankan
governmental agencies, and NGOs that specialize in
these areas of work.

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Shelter
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20. On January 10, the USAID/DART met with NGOs to
coordinate various aspects of the prospective
temporary shelter program. This was the first of what
will become a weekly coordination meeting. The group
agreed that USAID-funded NGOs will agree on model size
with some flexibility for shelter dimensions,
materials, and flooring. Common procurement was also
discussed, and a decision will be forthcoming.
Coordination on shelter items will prevent disparities
in the provision of shelter items and will facilitate
logistical support.

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Health
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21. From January 8 to 9, a member of the USAID/OFDA
DART, who is a physician with the Los Angeles County
Emergency Team, traveled to Jaffna in northwestern Sri
Lanka with the Medical Civil Action Program (MEDCAP)
reconnaissance team from the U.S. Embassy's Defense
Attach's Office. The team visited Point Pedro at the
most northern tip of Sri Lanka. According to the
USAID/DART officer, 30 of 31 camps in Jaffna are
located in Point Pedro, and as of January 5, 2,650
individuals have died. The number of IDPs has
decreased to 9,600 as of January 9 from 14,764 on
January 2. The total resident population is 36,000.
As of January 2, there were 125 latrines, 103
permanent and 22 temporary, in the camps. As of
January 5, there were four cases of fever and four
cases of chickenpox in the camps.


22. According to the USAID/DART officer, the Point
Pedro Base Hospital is a 264 bed hospital with minimal
staffing. The hospital is functioning, but it has
been impacted by the large number of IDP camps located
in close proximity to the hospital.


23. The USAID/DART officer also visited Jaffna
Teaching Hospital, a 1,000 bed regional teaching
hospital and referral center. The USAID/DART officer
noted that the hospital is quote extremely busy end
quote and cannot refuse patients, so at any given time
there may be up to 1,500 patients quote sleeping under
the beds end quote. The USAID/DART officer noted that
the MEDCAP team will probably be based at this
hospital.

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USAID/OFDA Programs: Reviving and Upgrading Economic
Livelihoods in Tsunami-Impacted Areas of Sri Lanka
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24. USAID/OFDA will provide USD 10,000,000 in
immediate disaster relief funding to implement a
dynamic, community-focused, micro-credit/stimulus
scheme that will immediately help families,
communities, cooperatives, and small businesses
rebuild in the aftermath of the earthquake and
tsunamis. The objective is to quickly stimulate

SIPDIS
economic growth and community restoration, thereby
accelerating the recovery. The scheme will use a
strategic approach to initially introduce cash-for-
work (three months),followed by micro-finance and
targeted financing for small and medium businesses.
Community participation and ownership will be a
hallmark of this approach, through the use of 13
experienced Sri Lankan financial NGOs who are already
active in the affected areas.


25. The project will focus on 30,000 families who
lost their livelihoods, working collaboratively with
village cooperative societies and networks. Areas of
emphasis will include: the fishing industry, small
coastal retailers, small to medium businesses that are
labor intensive, women's cooperatives, and small
support services for the tourist industry. This
approach should help to foster a foundation for
longer-term sustainable development. This approach
will not only complement other ongoing relief
activities, (e.g. shelter development, cash-for-work,
etc.),but it will also provide an entry point for a
longer-term, strategic USAID mission response.

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USAID/DART Staffing
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26. As of January 11, there are 17 members of the
USAID/DART in Sri Lanka, including two Foreign Service
Nationals from USAID/Kathmandu. Of the 17 USAID/DART
members, one individual is in Galle and another team
member is in Male, Maldives.

LUNSTEAD