Reconstruction and resettlement in the Northern
Province:
‘A Sri Lankan success story’
S B Divaratne Secretary, Presidential Task Force for
Resettlement, Development and Security - Northern Province
The most recent experience and what may be termed ‘a Sri Lankan
success story’ is what took place in the aftermath of the biggest
operation launched by the Sri Lanka Security Forces in May 2009 that
ended the near thirty years armed conflict in the country involving a
group – the LTTE. The first step was the establishment and handling of
reception centres which received the displaced civilians, administration
of those who arrived at the reception centres, the establishment and
management of secure relief villages for the internally displaced
persons followed by the implementation of a master plan for the
reconstruction of the Northern Province and the return and resettlement
of the IDPs to their own homes is an experience Sri Lanka can be proud
of.
S B DIVARATNE |
The immediate challenge for the government of Sri Lanka was to look
after the displaced civilians numbering over 250,000. The territory had
been in the control of LTTE for nearly a quarter of a century and had to
be made secure to ensure safety. It was also necessary to be alert to
the probability of LTTE cadres attempting to evade capture by posing as
IDPs. The identification of such persons became complicated since they
were mingling with the IDPs. Quick action was required to put in place
necessary arrangements to care for the displaced. Considering the very
real security threat, accommodating the IDPs in the relief villages was
the most efficient and safe option.
From mid 2008 civilians from LTTE controlled areas were entering
government controlled areas. The government anticipated large exodus of
people from the LTTE controlled areas when it defeats the LTTE and was
preparing to locate them in suitable areas. The idea of keeping IDPs in
one area with all necessary facilities was conceptualized as the number
of people fleeing out of LTTE controlled areas had increased since 2008.
By the end of 2008 there were nearly 48,000 IDPs accommodated in several
welfare centres in Jaffna, Mannar and Vavuniya districts. It was decided
that the location chosen should be in an area which could provide basic
facilities and not far from a township, so that anyone could get there
within a short space of time. Facilities considered necessary included
sufficient accommodation, food, health services, water, transport, and
most importantly protection of IDPs from any probability of threat.
Having taken all those necessities into consideration, the area known
as ‘Menik Farm’ was selected as the suitable location to accommodate
IDPs. It is only 22Km away from Vavuniya town and accessible from
Vavuniya in 30-40 minutes. The large extent of land in Menik Farm
avoided congestion and in turn was conducive to prevent communicable
diseases. By the time the mass exodus of displaced civilians commenced
85-100 acres of land in Menik Farm had been cleared and semi permanent
shelters had been constructed and further 900 acres had been identified
for clearance to establish sufficient number of relief villages. The Sri
Lanka Armed Forces, particularly the Sri Lanka Army took the lead role,
in this emergency humanitarian effort.
Training for Northern youth |
The influx of IDPs was about 80,000 per day towards the last stages
of the operation. Sri Lanka was able to cope with the arrival of 80,000
people on the first day and another 100,000 in the week that followed.
Immediately upon arrival in the government controlled areas the
civilians had to be provided with food and shelter and if required
medical attention.
Thereafter they had to be provided transportation to safe areas.
This, invariably, took a day or two. However, within 5-7 days time, IDPs
were processed and accommodated. Family members being accommodated
together as far as possible. Until sufficient accommodation was made
available, the government took all government schools and institutions
in Vavuniya District with large buildings and accommodated IDPs in the
28 centres and thereafter transferred them to the relief villages set up
in Menik Farm.
Management of Relief Villages
Administrative arrangements – The government took over the
responsibility for the management of the welfare villages and took full
control over all activities and its efforts were adequately supported by
UN agencies and INGOs. The contribution of the Sri Lanka Army in overall
management, supervision and maintenance of security has been a major
contributory factor for the efficient and successful management of the
relief villages.
Security Forces personnel engaged in demining activities.
File photo |
A National Co-ordinating Committee headed by the Ministry of
Resettlement supervised the management of relief villages. In addition,
a District Committee headed by the Government Agent of Vavuniya was also
established. For the management of relief villages, the government
appointed a Steering Committee headed by a senior Minister, assisted by
the Armed Forces and various line ministers.
A competent authority (Retired Major-General of Sri Lanka Army) was
appointed to be in charge of overall activities. He was supported by a
Chief Co-ordinating Officer appointed for each relief village. For
operation of the relief villages, four Government Agents from other
districts were appointed as liaison officers to support the Competent
Authority and the Management Committee. The respective line ministries
providing essential services including health, education, water supply
and electricity were given responsibility for distribution and
maintenance of services.
Altogether six villages were set up in Menik Farm, where nearly
222,000 IDPs were housed. Facilities available in relief villages took
various forms depending on the number of families accommodated in each
village. In some relief villages there were three referral hospitals. In
addition, primary healthcare centres, schools, primary schools,
community kitchens, tube wells, water tanks, vocational training centres,
welfare shops, banks and post offices were established. Places of
religious worship for all religions were also established.
Many organizations and individuals from the rest of the country,
spontaneously and overwhelmingly responded by making donations of water,
food and non-food items to the relief villages.
Policy for Resettlement
The resettlement policy envisaged the following:
* That the resettlement process is voluntary
* That the IDPs should be resettled in their original places of
habitation
* That the process should be dignified and safe
* That Sri Lanka Army to be a partner of the resettlement process
* That it involves informed choice of the displaced family/persons
through facilitation of ‘go and see visits’ prior to resettlement
* That the provision of housing or assistance of shelter, livelihood
development be made to the resettled families.
Strategy for Resettlement
Considering the gravity of the situation and the need for a rapid
resettlement programme and its efficient implementation, the President
appointed a Presidential Task Force for Resettlement, Development and
Security in the Northern Province (PTF) in May 2009 under the
Chairmanship of Basil Rajapaksa, Minister for Economic Development. The
mission of the Task Force was to formulate a strategic framework for the
revitalization of the Northern Province and to implement a rapid
resettlement and recovery programme.
In view of the magnitude of the task, the PTF developed a three-prong
approach for resettlement and reconstruction of a 30-year war-torn
Northern Sri Lanka and has given full attention to its implementation
using domestic resources as well as external assistance. These were:
* Providing relief and humanitarian assistance for the resettled
people and restoration of basic infrastructure in the cleared area
* Early recovery process to support returnees to recommence their
economic activities.
* Development of much needed major infrastructure and revival of the
Northern Region for sustainability and stability.
The programme that envisaged this three-pronged approach was aptly
named Uthuru Vasanthaya (Vadakkin Vasantham) which consist the
following:
* Formulation of a Master Plan - Uthuru Vasanthaya to facilitate
resettlement, development and reconstruction of the Northern Province.
* Launching of a 180-Day Accelerated Programme to implement a rapid
resettlement programme and an early recovery process.
The objectives of the 180-Day Programme includes identification of
priorities through well co-ordinated plans, enlisting support from Line
Ministries to undertake activities that are required to create a
conducive environment and plan out different phases of resettlement.
Each district of the Northern Province had its own programme that set
out work to be undertaken as priority during the 180-Day Programme. This
included access to services, roads, electricity, safe drinking water and
sanitation, improvements to basic infrastructure including minor
irrigation, health and education, livelihood development, etc.
A team of officials were appointed to visit the areas to assess the
damage and prepare tentative estimates and to identify fund
requirements. Thereafter, priorities were identified for immediate
rehabilitation. Technical capacities of Government Instructions were
utilized to complete such rehabilitation work. Funds available under
ongoing projects were utilized to complete such work. Launching of the
180-Day Programme brought about total solutions required for rapid
resettlement and early recovery process.
Challenges for Resettlement
Demining –
The most formidable challenge faced by the GoSL in post-conflict
reconstruction efforts was in the field of demining operation. In order
to meet these requirements, the Humanitarian Demining Unit (HDU) under
Sri Lanka Army was set up. The Sri Lanka Army contributed greatly in the
demining operations, in addition to the work of several donor funded
mine action agencies. In order to support the mine action programme, the
Cabinet officially approved the establishment of a National Mine Action
Co-ordinating Body with UNDP assistance. The demining process included
technical and non-technical survey. Demining operations were prioritized
to facilitate rapid resettlement. Firstly, battle area and subsequently
areas required for resettlement of people, land where people conduct
their livelihood activities, land giving access to schools, hospitals
and land with essential infrastructure that required rehabilitation were
taken up as priorities.
Sri Lanka achieved an impressive record in demining operation having
cleared 1,319 sq. km. out of confirmed hazardous areas of 1,419 sq. km
in the North. Sri Lanka Army deserves major credit for this remarkable
achievement.
Restoration of basic infrastructure –
Prior to commencement of the resettlement, the GoSL spearheaded a
rapid rehabilitation of infrastructure through its 180-Day Programme.
Initially, priority was given to essential infrastructure. The
priorities were determined by the government to ensure effective
delivery of services to the displaced civilians upon resettlement. State
institutions were utilized to complete the restoration. Even in this
endeavour SL Army played a pivotal role in spearheading an urgent
rehabilitation programme. The Ministry of Nation Building and Estate
Infrastructure Development (presently the Ministry of Economic
Development) spent nearly Rs 4.4 billion (US$ 39.63 million) for
rehabilitation of infrastructure identified as priorities.
Prior arrangements for resettlement –
The procedure for resettlement was adopted whilst the IDPs were in
the relief villages. Based on the collection of data of each family
including their native places, the District and Divisional lists based
on the above data were prepared by the district officials. Arrangements
for IDPs to go and see by making visits to their places of origin were
also made prior to resettlement. This was planned to avoid fear and
tension in the minds of IDPs when they are resettled in their places of
origin soon after the traumatic experiences they had undergone. The
government took special action to ensure that basic facilities were
available when the people were resettled.
A comprehensive mine risk education programme supported by UNICEF/UNDP
was conducted by the security officials in relief villages prior to
resettlement and subsequently at transitional shelters. Transportation
of IDPs to transitional shelters was co-ordinated by the Security
Forces. As the Civil Administration was just being re-established, Army
officials at the ground supported the Civil Administration to strengthen
its capacity in handling the resettlement process.
To be continued
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