Sri Lanka Humanitarian Update, 02/18/09

UNCLAS COLOMBO 000174 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR SCA/INS AND PRM STATE ALSO PASS TO USAID AID/W FOR ANE/SCA AID/W FOR DCHA/FFP FOR JDWORKEN, JBORNS AID/W FOR DCHA/OFDA FOR ACONVERY, RTHAYER AND RKERR BANGKOK FOR USAID/DCHA/OFDA WBERGER KATHMANDU FOR USAID/DCHA/OFDA MROGERS USMISSION GENEVA FOR NKYLOH USMISSION USUN/ECOSOC FOR DMERCADO E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAID PGOV PHUM PREF CE SUBJECT: Sri Lanka Humanitarian Update, 02/18/09 Summary -------------- ¶1. The U.N. reports 30,000 internally displaced people from Sri Lanka's northern Vanni Region are receiving humanitarian assistance at 17 locations in the Vavuniya District. International organizations report they are responding to the food and non- food emergency needs of the displaced and that access for international organizations to assist the displaced has improved. The U.N. lead Cluster approach for the coordination of humanitarian activity is operational. There is little humanitarian information with respect to an estimated 100,000-250,000 people trapped by conflict in the Mullaitivu Region. The U.N. will officially launch a humanitarian appeal for $155 million this week to assist with the emergency needs of 450,000 Sri Lankans. USAID and Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) personnel are cooperating closely to monitor humanitarian conditions in Sri Lanka's northern region. End Summary. Background -------------- ¶2. The recent surge in fighting between the Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) and LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam) in Sri Lanka's northern Vanni Region could potentially cause the displacement of 100,000-250,000 people. Those affected and displaced, mostly ethnic Tamils, are transported by the GSL military to Ministry of Resettlement-managed transit centers in Vavuniya District. Limited access for the international humanitarian community to the Vanni Region has reduced the potential role of the international community in response efforts. ¶3. In support of humanitarian preparedness and response efforts, the Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) programmed $6 million in Fiscal Years 2008-2009 in non-food support to the U.N. and international NGOs. The Office of Food for Peace programmed $32.7 million in 2008 to support food activities through the World Food Program. Displacement -------------- ¶4. The U.N. Office of Humanitarian Coordination (OCHA) reports that approximately 30,000 people displaced from the Vanni Region fighting now reside in 17 locations close to the district capital in Vavuniya. The locations are generally school grounds and under the control of the Sri Lankan military. The U.N. Humanitarian Coordinator reports that the humanitarian conditions of the displaced that have come out of the Vanni are generally good, and people are receiving food and non-food support from both GSL and international organizations. The U.N. also reports that the number of displaced is trending higher with new arrivals daily. ¶5. Several international NGOs, including CARE, World Vision and CRS report increased access to the displaced in the Vavuniya camps. The INGOs are supporting the affected with non-food items, and increased access to water and sanitation. The GSL had prevented INGO access to the displaced as recently as 10 days ago. Several believe the policy change resulted due to the recent increase in arrivals that likely caught the GSL unprepared to cope with humanitarian demands. The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) reported that non- food support for 150,000 is pre-positioned in country and the World Food Program is prepositioning a two-month supply of food in Vavuniya for 200,000. Humanitarian Coordination -------------- ¶6. The "cluster system" to coordinate international response efforts is in place, largely led by the United Nations. The U.N. and INGOs report regular meetings in Vavuniya and Colombo to coordinate activities in the food, WASH, shelter, protection and security sectors. Donors including the European Commission for Humanitarian Affairs, USAID, Canada and several other European nations meet regularly to share information. Mullaitivu Region -------------- ¶7. The GSL has restricted humanitarian access for the U.N. and INGOs to the conflict's epicenter, the Mullaitivu Region. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has evacuated approximately 1,200 war wounded from the region to the hospital in Trincomalee. The U.N. estimates that 100,000 - 250,000 civilians are caught in the fighting and will eventually need some level of humanitarian support. The ICRC reports increased cases of dysentery, and that populations lack food, water and medical care. U.N. Appeal -------------- ¶8. UN OCHA will launch the CHAP (Consolidated Humanitarian Appeal) on February 18, requesting $155 million in food and non- food emergency assistance for those affected by conflict in the Vanni region. OFDA Regional Advisor has reviewed the appeal and believes the planning figure of 450,000 displaced may be high, and far from the GSL estimates of approximately 100,000. UNOCHA Chief in Sri Lanka reported to OFDA that the 450,000 target population comes from 2004 operational figures and that accurate census data do not exist. Conclusions -------------- ¶9. Displaced totals in Sri Lanka's Vavuniya District currently stand at 30,000. However, the U.N. reports new arrivals daily and the trend is increasing. The GSL and Sri Lankan military increasingly are granting access to the displaced populations to the U.N. and INGOs. The UN reports that it currently has the capacity to support 150,000 displaced with food and non-food items. ¶10. Humanitarian coordination of activities through the "Cluster" mechanism is functioning, however, its efficacy will be tested as greater numbers of displaced arrive in Vavuniya. ¶11. There is little humanitarian information on conditions of populations in the epicenter of fighting in the Mullaitivu Region. The ICRC reports a lack of food, water and medical assistance throughout the region. The ICRC has evacuated approximately 1,200 war wounded and dependents from the conflict zone to the public hospital in Trincomalee. The U.N and GSL sources estimate between 100,000 and 250,000 residents in the Vanni region may require some level of humanitarian assistance. ¶12. USAID and OFDA are planning several field assessments and will continue to monitor and report on humanitarian conditions in northern Sri Lanka. BLAKE