UNHCR ASSESSES HUMANITARIAN SITUATION IN THE VAKARAI

UNCLAS COLOMBO 000526 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE PASS TO USAID AID/W PLEASE PASS USAID/OFDA, USAID/ANE, USAID/CMM KATHMANDU FOR OFDA REGIONAL ADVISOR WILLIAM BERGER E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREF CE SUBJECT: UNHCR ASSESSES HUMANITARIAN SITUATION IN THE VAKARAI DISTRICT REF: COLOMBO 0310 ¶1. (U) Summary: Ambassador and USAID Program Officer attended the seventh Consultative Committee on Humanitarian Assistance (CCHA) meeting, chaired by the Minister of Disaster Management and Human Rights and attended by the Secretary of Defense and representatives of UN agencies, the ICRC, and other relevant GSL ministries, on March 29. At the meeting, the UNHCR Country Representative reported that a UNHCR Assessment Team just returned from the Vakarai District with a report on the humanitarian situation. The team found widespread destruction of property. Food was available but the schedule of future deliveries unknown. Ambassador met with Basil Rajapakse, the President's chief political advisor, on April 4 to urge that resettlement take place according to international standards, and that the Government ensure that those who are resettled have adequate food, water, shelter and the means to regain their livelihoods (septel). End Summary. ¶2. (SBU) While the UNHCR Assessment Team was not accompanied by the army in Vakarai, the team did limit the geographic breadth of the assessment under its own internal security guidelines due to the presence of landmines. Team members wore flak jackets and kept to the main roads. The team reported that no de-mining work was visible; however, landmine warning tapes were evident at the entrance to Vakarai, indicating mine risk. The final version of the assessment report is not yet available, but USAID received an advance draft copy which is the basis for this cable. -------------- Visible Destruction -------------- ¶3. (SBU) The level of conflict-generated destruction that could be seen from the main road was reported to be extensive: rooftops were either totally or partially destroyed; bullet and shelling marks were evident on the buildings; and, according to the IDP returnees interviewed, properties were looted, interiors of houses damaged, cattle had disappeared, and household appliances and furniture were stolen. Schools are also in need of structural repair, although classes are in session. -------------- Movement Considered Restricted -------------- ¶4. (SBU) When asked about their ability to move freely in and out of Vakarai District, the returnees interviewed stated they did not feel free to do so, although no one interviewed had tried to leave the district. They feel that the Sri Lankan Army would prevent their departure if they attempted to do so. In addition, those interviewed felt that the fighting in and around the Vakarai District would preclude a safe departure even if they were permitted to leave. (Note: While some interviewees stated they are able to travel within the Vakarai District, it is unclear whether there are sufficient supplies within the district to meet the current needs.) -------------- Food and Livelihoods -------------- ¶5. (SBU) Interviewees stated that there was some food distribution but they did not know when additional food would be distributed again. There is no set schedule for food distribution. UNHCR notes that there is a critical need for a regular schedule for food distribution, especially since the community has restricted livelihoods. For example, they cannot go into the forest area for hunting or honey collection due to land mines, and fishing is restricted by location and time. -------------- More Complete Needs Assessment Required -------------- ¶6. (SBU) UNHCR points out that a more comprehensive assessment of the needs in the Vakarai District is needed in order to fully understand the requirements they and other donors can act on. This can only be carried out when de-mining is complete. Post continues to stay informed of this and other humanitarian issues and wishes to thank USAID/OFDA for its continued support to the CHAP. ¶7. (SBU) Comment: According to the UN, Sri Lanka is now in the unenviable position of having the largest number of IDPs in Asia. The Government of Sri Lanka is more open to discussing humanitarian assistance issues since the inception of the CCHA. That said, the UN believes the government continues to undercount the numbers of IDPs affected by the conflict and is in general denial of the extent of the impact on its people. Ambassador met with Basil Rajapakse, the President's chief political advisor, on April 4 to urge that resettlement take place according to international standards, and that the Government ensure that those who are resettled have adequate food, water, shelter and the means to regain their livelihoods (septel). BLAKE