Livelihood development plan for tsunami-affected in East

K. D. Jayasekera, Trincomalee correspondent

TRINCOMALEE: The tsunami affected people in Trincomalee district have been suffering for almost two years.

It is a good augur that the government has come forward to launch a divisional livelihood development plan to help the tsunami affected people, said Chief Secretary North East Provincial Council S. Rangarajah participating as the chief guest at the launching of the Divisional Livelihood Development Plan for tsunami affected people in Trincomalee district held at the town hall Trincomalee recently.

He said the people living in this district have been suffering due to the conflict before they were hard hit by the tsunami tidal wave. Therefore the proposed development projects should be implemented for the benefit of the affected people.

Seventy five projects have been given priority out of 286 projects selected for the five affected divisions - Trincomalee Town and gravets, Kinniya, Muthur, Kuchchaveli and Ichilampattai. These projects were identified with the direct involvement of communities, stakeholders and local government having conducted workshops and focal group discussions with the stakeholders.

These projects are estimated to cost Rs. 700 m and government departments will provide all necessary facilities for the NGOs or other organizations undertaking the implementation of the projects. The International Labour Organization will provide technical advice.

It is said that various studies by the government and international donors in the aftermath of the tsunami have shown a significant lack of coordination between government and international non government organizations international donors and private relief operators in planning and implementing tsunami recovery and development programmes and projects.

As a Response Reconstruction and Development Agency (RADA) has supported the development of Divisional livelihood development plans in 43 tsunami affected divisions.

Additional District Secretary Anuruddha Amaratunga, Chief Technical Advisor ILO Ducker Welinga, Livelihood Coordinator of the Reconstruction and Development Agency Ranjit Abeyagunawardhana were also present on the occasion.