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A. Progress made in the resettlement process:
After five months from the conclusion of the humanitarian operations to liberate the civilian
population and the North from the LTTE’s terrorism, the Government of Sri Lanka has been able to resettle 99,001 IDPs who were victims of the LTTE’s forced displacement.
A breakdown of the resettlement process on district basis is given below:
Mullaitivu - 4,390
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Jaffna - 46,746
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Ampara -
585
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Trincomalee - 6,576
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Mannar- - 7,090
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Vavuniya - 13,127
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Kandy -
19
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Total - 80,994
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In addition 18,007 persons have been taken over by the host families, institutions which
provide special needs and other agencies, brining the total number of IDPs left camps by 3 November 2009 to 99,001.
The number of IDPs remaining in the welfare villages and elder homes is 158,990. A breakdown on this is given below:
Zone 0 – 11 & Welfare Centres -
151,488
Transitional sites -
7,255
Elder Home -
247
Total
- 158,990
The Governments of USA and Japan have commended this accelerated resettlement process by issuing
statements on 28 and 30 October respectively. Mr. Mike Foster, PUS/DFID announced in the House of Commons that Sri Lanka has a potential of resettling 80% of IDPs by the end of this year.
B. De-mining programme
It is estimated that approximately 1.5 million mines and Unexploded Ordnances
(UXOs) are buried in approximately 500 sq. km area.
Out of this 500 sq. km 65% of the land has previously inhabited by civilians, 25% has been used for agriculture and 10% is covered by thick jungle.
The Sri Lankan military, UNDP, HALO Trust, MAG and Danish de-mining groups are involved in the process and the Sri Lankan military has done 75% of the de-mining so far.
The government of Sri Lanka accelerated the de-mining process by deploying newly imported 10 machines.
C. Contingency plan for Monsoonal Rains
The Government of Sri Lanka has started the decongestion process of the welfare villages.
The drainage system has been improved in all welfare villages and sanitation facilities have been improved.
D. Provision of Food and other essentials
 The Government of Sri Lanka and the WFP are providing daily dry rations to the IDPs. The government approximately spend Rs. 5 million per day in this process.
The problems encountered in supplying potable water are being rectified by the agencies concerned.
E. Health
There are 118 medical doctors have been employed by the government in the welfare villages. The ratio for patients per doctor is 2186. The national average of this is 2224.
The doctors are assisted by nurses, pharmacists, dispensers, paramedics, public heath inspectors and other supporting staff. In addition there are 1053 voluntary health workers are functioning in the welfare villages.
F. Access to Media and Humanitarian Agencies
Approximately 300 media personnel have been granted access by the Government of Sri Lanka. There are 53 international humanitarian agencies including UN, ICRC and other INGOs and local NGOs are involved in relief operations.
G. Education
The internally displaced school going children are continuing their education in the welfare villages.
Among the students 1099 sat for their GCE A/L examination and 5784 pupils sat for their Grade 5 scholarship examination this year.
Sri Lanka High Commission
London
04 November 2009
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