UNHCR hands over 1000th Jaffna transitional shelter

The key to UNHCR's 1000th transitional shelter in Jaffna was handed over to a tsunami-affected family last week at a ceremony in Punithanagar, Point Pedro. UNHCR Deputy Representative, Masti Notz and Japanese Embassy Representative Katsunori Ashida made the presentation.

Ms Notz thanked the Government Agent, Shelter Unit of the Jaffna Social Action Centre (JSAC), European Commission Humanitarian Aid Office (ECHO), Government of Japan and staff of UNHCR Field Office Jaffna for their collective efforts in realising this achievement.

She also paid special tribute to the displaced families who received the shelters. Notz said: "UNHCR's transitional shelter project in Jaffna could not have been undertaken successfully without the many beneficiaries who have helped us to design and build shelters which will best meet their needs."

The 1000th shelter in Jaffna was received by Mohanraj and his family, displaced by both the conflict and the tsunami. Addressing over a 100 attendees, Mohanraj said: "UNHCR staff came here many times and listened to us. They wanted to get the tsunami-affected communities involved and encouraged us to participate throughout the building process."

UNHCR's transitional shelters consist of two partitioned rooms built within a pre-cast concrete column frame and are compliant with the internationally-recognised Sphere standards for a family of five.

As an emergency humanitarian organisation, UNHCR will complete its transitional shelter work in Sri Lanka by end 2005; having built almost 4,500 shelters and actively supported the government in coordinating the provision of over 55,000 shelters islandwide.