Fleeing civilians top 2,000 mark
Rasika Somarathna
The number of IDPs seeking refuge with the Government authorities
surpassed the 2,000 mark yesterday as the Government reiterated that
arrangements were in place to help displaced civilians.
Resettlement and Disaster Relief Services Minister Rishard Bathuideen
said by yesterday, the number of IDPs who sought refuge in the cleared
areas, had increased to 2,057 and they were housed at welfare centres in
Vavuniya with all facilities.
Welfare centres have been organised in Menik Farm (150 acres), Menik
Farm II (450 acres), Nelumkulama and Omanthai (150 acres) with the
capacity to house 30,000 families, the Minister added.
Authorities are also preparing three villages with a single house for
each family being provided, namely in Chettikulam, Omanthai and another
location in Vavuniya. These villages and temporary camps would be
equipped with all facilities until the families are resettled in their
original villages, which would be expedited after securing those areas
and building the needed infrastructure, the Minister added.
Officials belonging to several Ministries, currently in Vavuniya, are
preparing a comprehensive report on how to facilitate expediting relief
measures, and the final report would be presented to the President
shortly, the Minister noted.
The displaced from uncleared areas are to be provided with cooked
meals, dry rations, drinking water, health and sanitary facilities,
electricity, cooking utensils, clothes, infant food and all other
essential items.
A daily allowance of Rs 100 for any other miscellaneous needs too is
to be given.
With the assistance of the UNICEF and the Ministry of Health, a
hygienic kit to each family is to be provided and also supplementary
food are to be given for the children to overcome any form of
malnutrition during this time.
School going children are to be facilitated with uninterrupted
education, through out their temporary stay at welfare centres with the
involvement of the Education Ministry.
Banking facilities too are to be provided within these centres. |