Tsunami housing
reconstruction:
A major challenge
BY RAJMI Manatunga
Houses built for people displaced by the tsunami.
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THE day tsunami waves ravaged the coastal areas of Sri Lanka and left
thousands of people killed, maimed and displaced is probably the
bleakest day in our country's history. The massive waves that submerged
the once beautiful sea-side villages took over 30,000 lives and made
nearly 1,000,000 people homeless in barely 20 minutes.
Apart from its toll on the human population the tsunami also undid
years of development and progress in the affected areas. Many cities and
villages in several districts including Batticaloa, Kalmunai, Hambantota
and Matara were reduced to ruins leaving thousands of people stranded in
temporary shelters.
Even as we mark the lapse of nearly nine months after the disaster
today, a large number of them continue to live in huts or other
temporary housing in IDP camps.
According to the Tsunami Housing Reconstruction Unit (THRU), the
Government body entrusted with the task of planning, facilitating and
overseeing the reconstruction of houses damaged by the tsunami, around
90,000 houses were completely or partially destroyed in the Boxing Day
disaster.
"For a country like ours which was building an average 4,000-5,000
houses a year this is undoubtedly a gigantic challenge," said THRU Chief
Executive Officer Gemunu Alawattegama.
The first housing complex for the tsunami displaced under
construction. |
"The total requirement of 90,000 houses includes around 45,000 in the
100 metre buffer zone declared by the Government and another 45,000
outside the buffer zone. Our objective is to provide housing to every
person who was occupying a house which was destroyed in the tsunami
disaster," he said.
Alawattegama said that the Government has launched a grant scheme to
provide capital to help people displaced by the tsunami rebuild their
houses.
"Under this scheme they can reconstruct their houses on their own
using the Government grant. Rs 250,000 is granted in four instalments to
rebuild a completely destroyed house while the grant for a partially
destroyed house is Rs 100,000. The Government will assist them by
providing the required infrastructure".
As regards the buffer zone the reconstruction activities are carried
out by the Government in association with donor organisations which have
pledged financial support for the reconstruction of houses.
Accordingly, the Government identifies the land on which the houses
are to be built and hands them over to the donors who will be
responsible for carrying out the construction.
"Since no construction is permitted in the buffer zone we had to find
alternative lands to build houses for people who were previously living
within 100 metres from the sea.
State land was mostly used to build the houses while private lands
were also acquired and purchased in desperate situations. Although the
land issue was an obstacle at the beginning we have overcome the
difficulty to a large extent now," he said.
The THRU Head pointed out that the Government has already handed over
50 per cent of the land required to build these houses to the donor
agencies.
"Accordingly, the construction of around 20,000 houses for people who
previously lived in the buffer zone will commence shortly. Around 7,000
houses are already under construction. Steps have been taken to expedite
the supply of lands for building the balance 25,000 houses as well," he
said adding that special attention will be paid to the fisherfolk during
resettlement to ensure that they will not be hindered in continuing
their livelihood.
Outside the buffer zone the destruction caused by the tsunami is not
equally grave. "In these areas it is often a matter of rebuilding since
most houses have only been partially destroyed. The inhabitants of these
houses are entitled to the Government grant which could be used for
rebuilding the damaged houses".
Alawattegama said that THRU sub offices comprising engineers, and
managers have been set up in every district to oversee the progress of
the reconstruction activities. They are responsible for coordinating
with the District and Divisional secretaries in the area and constantly
monitoring the work.
In the North-East the reconstruction work is carried out mainly with
the assistance of the Government Agents and National Housing Development
Authority (NHDA) officials in the area.
However, the THRU head said that there was a delay on the part of the
donor agencies in commencing reconstruction.
"There is a slack on their part in starting work even though the
Government has handed over 50 per cent of the land required for
rebuilding. The delay is most conspicuous in the North-East. We have
requested them to commence work as soon as possible since we are
concerned about the plight of the displaced people during the rainy
season."
Responding to criticism that the Government lacks an efficient plan
to provide housing for the tsunami displaced, Alawattegama said that
long-term planning was needed in matters of resettlement.
"We do not want to create slum cities. Instead, one must plan for the
future and take account of all the environmental, social and livelihood
issues in resettling these people. The new settlements will be based on
a new concept of village equipped with all infrastructure, educational
and health facilities.
It will take us around two years to complete the major projects to
provide an adequate water supply for these settlements. We are trying to
find alternative solutions like tapping ground water and rainwater
harvesting.
Alawattegama said they were confident of completing all
reconstruction and resettlement work by April 2006. "We appeal to the
public to bear with us until then. We also request the organisations
that have not yet embarked on their task to start work immediately
specially in view of the monsoon season," he said.
Before the tsunami, Sri Lanka was known to be a safe haven where
outrages of nature scarcely occurred except for occasional floods and
landslides during the rainy seasons.
Therefore, the magnitude of the December 26 disaster undoubtedly
leaves our country with enormous challenges in terms of disaster
management, livelihood issues, development and above all rehabilitation
and resettlement.
Around 50,000 persons displaced by the tsunami still live in
temporary shelters around the country which are often canvas tents.
These shelters which could barely accommodate a family or stand against
heavy rains do not in any way provide a conducive environment for them
or their children to lead a normal life.
Therefore, providing permanent houses expediently for those living in
temporary shelters is the best way the Government can help them rebuild
their shattered lives.
The commitment of the Government as well as the donor agencies which
promptly pledged support following the disaster is essential to succeed
in this endeavour, Alawattegama said.
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