Kalutara tsunami displaced get shelter

The National Housing Development Authority (NHDA) commissioned the Kalutara Bihanimulla Fisheries Housing Scheme for the tsunami displaced recently.

The Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Ministry guided the project which was funded by International Funds for Development of Agriculture (IFAD). Fisheries Minister Felix Perera and Housing and Common Amenities Minister Ferial Ashraff opened the scheme last week.

The housing scheme was completed in 100 days. This scheme comprises 30 housing units. IFAD granted Rs. 500,000 for the project.

The NHDA provided technical assistance while the houses were constructed by householders with community participation.

Water, electricity and roads have been provided.

IFAD has spent Rs. 15 million on houses and Rs. 10 million on infrastructure. Under the IFAD tsunami housing project, the NHDA has provided technical assistance to provide houses to fishing families displaced by the tsunami in Trincomalee, Batticaloa and Kalmunai districts Secretariat divisions and the Ampara district.

The NHDA completed houses for 470 tsunami displaced fishing families in these districts at a cost of Rs. 230 million. Rs. 105 million had been spent on constructing 210 housing units in Trincomalee and 160 housing units in Batticaloa district at a cost of Rs. 80 million. Rs. 35 million was spent on 70 housing units in Kalmunai.

The Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Ministry and IFAD had further assisted NHDA to construct another 200 housing units in Trincomalee, Batticaloa and Ampara districts at a cost of Rs. 100 million.

NHDA says these 200 housing units will be completed in next few months with the participation of the fishing community.