Sri Lanka Monsoon Flood Update Situation Report No. 16 Date: 22 March 2011 Colombo

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1 Sri Lanka Monsoon Flood Update Situation Report No. 16 Date: 22 March 2011 Colombo This report is produced by OCHA in collaboration with humanitarian partners. It was issued by OCHA Colombo. It covers the period from 26 February to 22 March I. HIGHLIGHTS/KEY PRIORITIES With rains abating since the beginning of March, agencies are wrapping up humanitarian relief and focusing on early recovery assistance. According to the rapid floods assessment, 58% of the 246,888 households surveyed reported they had suffered both temporary loss of income during the peak of the floods and longer-term livelihood loss. In addition to the temporary loss of income, households are facing pressure due to a decline in their purchasing power as a result of higher food prices after the two waves of floods. Further, in anticipation of a bumper harvest, many farmers are unable to meet agricultural debts. A major priority is to extend immediate quick impact assistance, such as Food For Work or Cash For Work programmes, for the most vulnerable families without alternative coping strategies. These need to be linked with repair of critical community infrastructure and preparations of farmland for the 2011 Yala cultivation season. Partners are collaborating closely with government counterparts to support early recovery initiatives in floodaffected communities. II. Situation Overview Sunny weather has prevailed since the beginning of March, with the exception of minor rainfall in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Uva and Southern regions. In the Eastern Province, the relief response is quickly transitioning to longer-term recovery and reconstruction efforts. The overall situation of the affected communities remains very fragile due to increasing prices of some commodities and livelihoods losses. It is critical to ensure that groups that were already socioeconomically distressed prior to the floods do not fall into chronic vulnerability within this transition phase. The displaced population in temporary evacuation sites is minimal. In Trincomalee District around 60 people (20 families) are reported from sites in Samajipura, Kanthale Divisional Secretariat Division. III. Humanitarian Needs and Response EDUCATION All flood-affected schools have reopened with the Ministry of Education s commitment to replace textbooks and uniforms and education sector partners efforts to clean schools and deliver approximately 70,250 learner kits, 600 blackboards, 270 recreational kits and other items. Despite this, communities will continue to feel the long-term effects of the recent floods in destroyed livelihoods and heightened financial insecurity. Children s education remains a high priority within these communities, but economic hardship and severely decreased levels of disposable income will heighten the risk that these children will not return to or remain in school. Many children from these communities have lost essential school supplies, school bags, textbooks, uniforms and shoes. Schools have also suffered infrastructure damage and essential school supplies have been washed away or permanently damaged. The Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) has committed approximately US$ 600,000 to UNICEF to support distribution of school supplies to children over the next several months. Also, the Eastern Provincial Department of Education is also mobilizing approximately US$ 85,000 of UNICEF funds to begin repairs on flood affected schools. The table below indicates the flood response and gaps in the education sector in the Eastern Province. Table 1: Flood response/gaps in Education in the Eastern Province Response Schools affected 1,028 Schools cleaned 709 Tarpaulins distributed 2,000 1

2 Greenboards distributed 614 Recreation kits distributed 257 Learner kits distributed 70,250 Gaps Learner Kits 283,405 School Bags (student) 29,543 Water Bottles (student) 60,000 Shoes (student) 29,543 Uniforms (student) 27,172 Teacher Kits 4,572 Source: UNICEF, March 2011 FOOD SECURITY, AGRICULTURE AND LIVELIHOODS In Batticaloa District the second round of dry food distribution is underway assisting the most vulnerable families. WFP is distributing 117 metric tons of dry rations to 47,000 beneficiaries through the Multiple Purpose Cooperative Societies (MPCS) network. Beneficiaries receive a 5-day food ration and have been selected at the Grama Niladhari administrative level. 'Soft' Food for Work (SFFW) distributions will commence shortly as follows: 600 metric tons of food to 120,000 beneficiaries in Batticaloa District; 450 metric tons of food to 90,000 beneficiaries in Ampara District; metric tons of food to 37,000 beneficiaries in Trincomalee District Beneficiaries will undertake community rehabilitation activities, such as debris clearance in the paddy fields, canals and roads, in exchange for food. In Trincomalee District, the Food For Work (FFW) initiative will run simultaneously with the government Cash For Work programme (funded by World Bank). Technical training for government counterparts involved in FFW/SFFW projects has been completed in Ampara, Batticaloa and Polonnaruwa districts. Training for counterparts in Anuradhapura and Trincomalee districts will take place next. In Ampara District, Oxfam GB distributed 300 toolkits for use in Cash For Work (CFW) programmes. In Batticaloa District, the government is planning to implement a home garden project for 35,000 selected vulnerable families and rehabilitate 51 selected damaged reservoirs. UNDP, ACTED and the government are repairing channels, tanks, agro wells, multi-purpose societies and interior roads in Vakarai, Vellavely, Paddipalai, Vavunatheethu, Chenkalady and Kiran. Despite initial concerns about seed availability, FAO and the Ministry of Agriculture are expediting provision of vegetable, paddy, and Other Food Crop (OFC) seed packages to flood-affected farmers in the Eastern Province. Current requirements are: 479,074 bushels of seed paddy to cultivate 94,411 hectares during both the 2011 Yala and the Maha seasons; 30,000 vegetable seed kits; and 13,305 OFC seed kits sufficient for 7,100 hectares With current and pipeline funding, FAO support will cover approximately 20% of the 2011 Yala paddy requirement, in contrast to Maha preparations in the Northern Province, where FAO was able to provide the total seed requirement. FAO will supply only certified seed varieties, known and favoured by eastern farming communities. Flood damage to crops was less severe in the Northern Province than in the eastern region, with the exception of OFC and paddy losses in Killinochchi and Vavuniya districts. Harvesting is now underway. FAO will provide tarpaulin sheets to approximately 10,000 farming households as a temporary measure to assist storage. With a view to arriving at a detailed recovery plan, FAO and the Ministry of Agriculture are about to start a detailed study to assess damage to agriculture and agriculture related infrastructure and a comprehensive recovery plan. 2

3 Families heavily dependent on inland fishing are expected to be among the most vulnerable. In Ampara alone, there is a need to re-stock around four million fingerlings in the district s reservoirs. With at least another six month required for fisheries livelihoods to resume, interim livelihood assistance for fishing communities is essential. HEALTH AND NUTRITION Needs: There is a need to strengthen disease surveillance activities, especially for water and vector borne diseases, and in all flood-affected districts, as well as health education and awareness programmes for control and prevention of communicable diseases. Mobile health services remain important for communities with difficult access to health facilities. Cleaning and chlorination of water sources, such as wells, need to be expedited. Furthermore, some districts require assistance for solid and liquid waste management. Authorities report that health services are operational in all flood-affected areas, with occasional shortages of medicines due to supply chain delays and other logistical issues. Disease surveillance: No major outbreaks were reported in flood-affected areas during March, However, since January 2011, occasional cases of dengue were reported from all health regions in the Eastern Province (Trincomalee, Batticaloa, Kalmunai and Ampara), but not in outbreak proportions. The outbreak of leptospirosis reported from Anuradhapura, Vavuniya and Polonnaruwa districts in late January and early February has been brought under control. Hospital-based surveillance system continues to function in all flood-affected areas, as per the national guidelines. In Kalmunai, special efforts have been taken to establish a community-based system with the support of WHO funded volunteers. Mobile clinics: Mobile medical services are currently limited to selected areas. Batticaloa District Two vehicles provided by IOM are used for this purpose. Areas covered include Unnichchai and Mahilavedduwan in Vavunativu Medical Officer of Health (MOH) area and some areas in Kiran, Wellawelli and Pattipalai MOH areas. In addition to government doctors, one doctor re-employed with the support of UNICEF help in conducting mobile health services. Mannar District Mobile clinics are conducted at Madhu, Musali, Manthai West and Nanattan MOH areas. Environmental health: Activities related to cleaning of wells and chlorination of water sources continue in all flood affected districts. Some areas experience shortage of TCL powder used for chlorination. Steps have been taken to replenish the stocks with the funds provided by WHO. Disease control: Fogging of chemicals for dengue control continues in Mannar and Trincomalee Districts. The Presidential Secretariat has declared the week beginning from 23 March as the Mosquito Control Week, where each Regional Director of Health Services (RDHS) division is requested to take actions on mosquito control. Health education and awareness programmes: As per the information available, public health awareness programmes continue in Mannar and Kalmunai health regions. These programmes are conducted by volunteers under the supervision of public health inspectors. Reproductive Health: The Health sector has identified that approximately 27% (267,695) of the total flood- and landslide-affected population are women of reproductive age. The distribution of 3,650 maternity kits and 3,250 hygiene packs UNFPA have covered identified needs with funding from CERF enabling procurement of 2,600 maternity kits and UNFPA Emergency Fund covering the rest of the gap for both maternity kits and hygiene packs. In Trincomalee District, nutritional screening of children under five years is underway to determine the impact of floods on nutrition standards. The RDHS and UNICEF are looking at replacing clinic books, which many families have lost. However, since these books record the child s development, height weight and medicines/vaccinations, treatment and follow-up on the basis of individual case histories is that much more difficult. Difficulties in covering the operational cost for mobile clinics in Batticaloa and Mannar districts; 3

4 Lack of human resources especially for field health activities, such as mobile health services, vector control, chlorination of water sources, disease surveillance, conducting awareness programmes etc.; Lack of vehicles to organize mobile health services and field activities; Lack of information, education and communication materials (especially in local languages) for health education and awareness programmes; Shortage of TCL powder used for chlorination of water sources reported from some districts SHELTER/NON-FOOD ITEMS (NFI) Needs: In Trincomalee District, the National Housing Development Authority (NHDA) estimates 803 houses were fully damaged and 3,568 houses partly damaged by the floods. In Batticaloa District, the NHDA found that the floods destroyed 10,846 houses, leaving another 3,759 partially damaged. In Trincomalee District, assistance to families affected by the floods has focused on provision of emergency shelter material. Except for ZOA and DRC, partners are unable to provide transitional shelters due to funding shortages. The following table indicates details of the latest shelter assistance in Trincomalee District. Table 2: Shelter support in Trincomalee District Agency Support Project locations DRC 150 temporary shelters (at an In Muttur Divisional Secretariat Division (DSD): Santhosapuram, approximate cost of LKR 7,500 per unit) Ganeshapuram, Santhanavettai, Veeramanagar, Kattaiparichchan and Kadatkaraichchenai; In Seruvila DSD: Upporal, Seenanveli and Thanganagar; In Verugal DSD: Chenaiyoor, Mavadichchenai, Vattavan, Vinayagapuram, Karukkamunai, Ilangaithurai Mugathuvaram, Punnaiyadi, Poonagar and Verugal ; ZOA 681 mosquito nets Support to renovation of shelters (at an approximate cost of LKR 35,000 per family) Pattalipuram, Veeramanager, Nallur and Neenakerny villages In Muttur DSD: 45 shelters in Nallur, 139 shelters in Neenakerney, 29 shelters in Pattalipuram, 20 in Veeramanagar World Vision NFI kits 341 to Illankaithuraimugathuvaram 245 to Poomarathadichchenai World Vision Tin sheets Verugal DSD Save the Children 2,325 hygiene packs, 1,025 household kits, 400 infant kits 1,436 children s clothing items 56 children s clothing items Tarpaulins 102 bed sheets Verugal Padavisiripura 102 bed sheets UMCOR 3,200 NFI kits Muttur, Thampalagamuwa, Kinniya and Seruvila In Ampara District, only two agencies have declared capacity to deliver assistance: Caritas (25 shelters) and UNOPS (200) shelters. The Government Agent has accepted the UNOPS design for shelter, on the condition that six cement bags are provided to each beneficiary family to construct a floor. The cement cost will reduce the number of shelters UNOPS can provide from 200 to 184. The Caritas shelter assistance will be combined with livelihood support. Care International will provide tin roofing sheets to 120 families (24 sheets per family). These agencies have identified project sites largely along the coast. Discussions are ongoing on beneficiary selection criteria. Also in Ampara District, Oxfam GB distributed 15 family tents, 289 tarpaulins and other items. In Trincomalee District, support is required to cover a shortfall in tin sheets for the flood-displaced people accommodated in temporary evacuation sites. However agencies warn of low capacities and funding to meet these needs. In Batticaloa District, the majority of shelter needs have not been met. Assistance is required for 10,227 families, whose houses were demolished by the floodwaters, as well as another 3,133 families with partially damaged houses. 4

5 WATER, SANITATION AND HYGIENE (WASH) Needs: The local authorities and the WASH sector have identified the need to dewater around 14,000 wells in Ampara and approximately 27,800 wells in Batticaloa districts. An estimated 23,000 wells in Ampara District, as well as 64,400 wells in Batticaloa District require chlorination. Approximately 4,300 wells and 2,525 toilets require cleaning in the Trincomalee districts. Another 1,000 wells and 900 toilets have been identified for renovation in Ampara District. Until previous supply of water is restored in flood-affected areas, both Ampara and Batticaloa districts will require water trucking. In Trincomalee District, authorities have indicated that emergency WASH activities such as well cleaning and water bowsering can be phased-out as there is sufficient government capacity to continue serving areas in need. However, agencies have been requested to continue support for cleaning of latrines due to low government capacity (currently only 6 gully suckers operating in the entire district). In addition, authorities have requested agencies to concentrate on early recovery activities such as renovation and construction of wells and latrines. In the Ampara District, of the estimated 14,000 17,000 wells that require cleaning, around 3,850 wells have been cleaned by various WASH actors while around 15,000 wells have been chlorinated enabling access to approximately 80,000 people to safe water. In addition, two bowsers are supplying 12,000 litres of water daily with around 600 people gaining access to safe drinking water in vulnerable locations in the district. Over 90% of the population in Ampara District relies on pipe-borne water while around 7% of the population rely on wells and water bowsering for their daily water needs. In the Batticaloa District, 18 teams are supporting local authorities daily in the WASH sector. So far, 7,450 of the estimated 40,000 wells have been cleaned with support of WASH partners benefiting 52,150 flood affected people. 37 water browsers are in operation distributing 430,000 litres of water every day for the benefit of 90,000 flood affected people in Batticaloa District. Unlike in Ampara District, the majority of the population relies on wells and water bowsering for their daily water needs. In the Trincomalee District, local authorities are providing 45,000 litres of drinking water through water bowsering in the Muttur and Kantalai DSDs with the support of UNICEF and Peace Winds Japan. Around 2,750 wells and 425 toilets have cleaned by local authorities and WASH partners in the district with support to garbage cleaning in the most flood affected areas. Sarvodaya has received funding for the cleaning of another 708 wells, while ZOA and DRC have indicated availability of some funding for renovation of wells and latrines. Gaps in the WASH sector are yet to be clearly assessed, as many of the agencies are awaiting funds to make new commitments. OCHA will support analysis by mapping data from the Gap Analysis Matrix for the Eastern Province. In the Ampara and Batticaloa districts, due to the high water table, the well cleaning process has been hindered. In the Trincomalee District, there is a need for additional gully suckers to accelerate cleaning of toilets. UNICEF is planning to purchase one gully sucker and PWJ and Danish Refugee Council are considering repair of two others. The limited availability of funds for WASH partners is impacting the continuation and planning of activities. IV. Assessments WFP, in close collaboration with Ministry of Economic Development, the Hector Kobbekaduwa Agrarian Research Institute and District Secretaries, will conduct an Emergency Food Security Assessment (EFSA) covering the Northern, North-Central and Eastern Provinces. The assessment will seek data on household income, agricultural production and consumption patterns, to present recommendations for food assistance and early recovery livelihood support. UNDP will also assist through the provision of manpower and vehicles. EFSA training will start on 21 March for UNDP Early Recovery Assistants from Trincomalee, Batticaloa, Ampara, Killinochchi and Mannar districts. The assessment should be completed by early April. V. Funding A total of approximately US$18 million has been committed/pledged for the flood response, as of 22 March 2011, 35% of the Flash Appeal requirement of US$50.6 million. The Flash Appeal is under revision, as is standard practice in this 5

6 resource mobilization process, based on Government planning and analysis of the recently-completed needs assessments. The revised Appeal is expected to be available at the end of the month. All humanitarian partners including donors and recipient agencies are encouraged to inform FTS of cash and in-kind contributions by sending an to: 50 million requested (US$) 35 % funded VI. Contact Please contact: Colombo - Carrie Howard - howard@un.org, For more information, please visit: To be added or deleted from this sit rep mailing list, please slfloods@gmail.com 6