Incompetence, wastage and perversity overcome at Menik Farm

Prof. Rajiva Wijesinha, MP

As Secretary to the Ministry of Disaster Management and Human Rights, which was responsible for coordinating humanitarian assistance in 2009, I am astonished at the effrontery of the Darusman Panel. Perhaps the biggest lie was the assertion that ‘Conditions in Menik Farm did improve over time after much protest from the international community and threats from donors to cut off funding.’

First part of this article was published yesterday

This again is sleight of hand. The main complaint was of the closed nature of the Welfare Centres, and this was changed once security considerations had been satisfied, even though there was opposition to this from some sections of the security forces (see the letter of resignation sent by Sarath Fonseka), basically within the time frame that had been discussed with Prof Kalin. The other reasons for delay, namely the need to demine, and the need for basic infrastructure before the displaced could go back home, was achieved relatively quickly, in particular after government decided to acquire demining equipment when it was clear that the UN was delaying in this regard.

Tents provided by UNhCR for iDPs

The Panel has ignored the occasions on which some elements in the UN, having initially alleged that government was using the need to demine as an excuse not to resettle, subsequently accused the government of ignoring the dangers from mines and resettling too quickly.

Movement in and out of the camps has been completely free for well over a year now. Contrary to what NGOs claimed, very few people went out when leaving was permitted. Unfortunately the NGOs seemed to want to replicate the situation of the previously displaced, about whose returns there were no concerns at all. Thus they have spent decades in camps, subsidized to some extent but going out and working in the neighbourhood. This of course contributes to continuing projects for those NGOs that live off these, whereas the principle of return as quickly as possible to original homes has made the services of some of these NGOs redundant.

Welfare Centre

Inhumane camp conditions159. While the Government referred to Menik Farm as a ‘welfare village’ for IDPs, it was located in the middle of the jungle, without its own water source. After the large influx of IDPs in April and May 2009, conditions in Menik Farm were far below international standards. These conditions imposed additional unnecessary suffering and humiliation on civilians. New arrivals often had not eaten for days. While many persons suffered from depression, psychological support was not allowed by the Ministry of Social Services, and some IDPs committed suicide. Some died while awaiting passes to get basic medical treatment or died from preventable diseases.

The falsehoods here are preposterous. The land was flat, by the side of the main Medawachchiya-Mannar road, with the Malwathu Oya on the south side. This is the only river in the North that could be fed from the Mahaweli system, and for a brief period, in October 2009, when only more water was needed, the Mahaweli was diverted for the use of the Welfare Centre. In addition hydro-geologists identified a few shallow wells available at the site and identified potential for ground water, so that 234 hand pumps were soon installed. Since there was never any question of a water shortage - though there was much queueing in the early days, when the displaced took advantage of the situation and consumed much more than the sphere standard per person - this statement is particularly nasty.

Local models

It may spring from the strange brain processes of the Shelter Consultant whose employment took $ 11,000 per month of funds intended for the displaced, who kept complaining about fire hazards, and was doing so when government was complaining of excess water and the need for better drainage before the monsoon struck. Whatever he may have thought, the National Water Services and Drainage Board, which did yeoman service throughout the crisis and beyond, had strongly recommended the site. It should be noted that Sri Lankans are much more conscious of the need for water than most Westerners, though I believe that situation is now improving.

There were areas in which conditions were below international as well as national standards, but this was despite active agitation by government, which could not understand what was being done with all the funds that had been collected. The decision of UNHCR to bring down sub-standard tents at great cost from Dubai, tents in which people could not stand whereas the pledged leisure centres did not come up in time (for which UNHCR blamed UNICEF saying they were not used to working fast), was a problem, as was the squalid manner in which toilets were constructed at great cost, ignoring local models.

It is not true to say new arrivals had not eaten for days, since elaborate arrangements had been made for feeding the moment the displaced came to government lines, and these were fulfilled, with the assistance of a few NGOs which were not playing hard to get, as others who had stockpiled funds were doing. The statistics as to deaths or severe illness because of starvation testify to the good emergency care for those who had suffered under the LTTE, who had continued to stockpile meat and chocolates as an American reporter indicates.

The canard about psychological services is particularly skilful, since the Ministry of Social Services was not the lead agency in this area. That responsibility was entrusted along with the whole sector to the Ministry of Health, which performed admirably under difficult circumstances. The Peace Secretariat also took an active role in this regard and had several meetings for the purpose. In addition to establishing a mental health unit at the Vavuniya hospital, a consultant psychiatrist visited the Welfare Villages and conducted clinics with the assistance medical officers and psychiatric social workers. With the support of other agencies the Ministry established several psychosocial centres in the Villages. Activities for children to overcome psychosocial problems were also arranged.

LTTE oppression

There were only four cases of suicide, which is quite unlike what has happened in similar situations in other countries. It should not be forgotten that, despite the traumas undergone, for most of the displaced what happened provided a release from years of LTTE oppression.

With regard to deaths, the last sentence makes a general statement that should be substantiated by instances. The actual death figures suggest nothing unusual, taking into account the enormous pressures suffered in the last couple of months by those who had been held hostage by the LTTE. In the whole of May there were 325 deaths altogether, of which 178 were of people over 60, and 50 of children under 10. In June the figure was 248, with 144 being of people over 60 and 38 of children under 10. By July the figures had stabilized to below 0.25 per 10,000 people per day, which is the norm for South East Asia. It should be noted that the emergency threshold level for this region is 0.5 per 10,000 people per day, and we were below this by June.

160. Extreme overcrowding in the camps forced some people into unsafe living conditions. Provision for food, water, shelter and sanitation at Menik Farm was highly inadequate to cope with the large numbers of people who arrived in April and May.91 The shelters consisted of tarpaulins, which became very hot under the blazing sun.

To be continued