Situation Analysis and Observations
Sri Lanka was hit by a severe tropical cyclone on November called as Buravi that caused widespread flooding and landslides in Northern and Eastern districts of the country destroying homes and submerging entire villages.
Due to the cyclone ,currently there are many families in North people are displaced from their homes and living in a variety of safe locations including welfare camps, schools, temples, with host families and in other temporary accommodation.
As a result of heavy rains the roads are also fully covered by water and it has created a critical situation for the vulnerable and marginalized people who are already suffering due to poverty and the Covid 19 also created more pressure of their economic status.
It is expected to take several days for floodwaters to recede and in some areas water levels remain as high. Many of the affected population, particularly in the rural areas, were already amongst the most vulnerable in the country and have now lost everything, including their homes, possessions, agricultural land and means of making a living.
Children have lost their reading materials and housewives have lost their cookery materials in the affected rural area in Jaffna. In the urban areas there are growing health concerns related to the quantity of so much standing water in highly populated areas and the destruction of much of the water and sanitation infrastructure, which could lead to serious public health issues.
The Government of Sri Lanka is leading the response to the floods to some extend and Local organizations, faith groups, youth groups and businesses are actively involved in the provision of aid. Initially government were helped them but limited with a week. But those actions are not enough to solve the issues of the affected people. They are still needed support to build their normal life. Priority needs are for health, shelter and food assistance, and current requests include the provision of emergency items including clothing, temporary latrines, and hygiene and cooking equipment.
While Puravi has now passed over Sri Lanka, the Department of Meteorology predicts more rain over the island in the coming days as normal south-west monsoonal rains settle in. This could cause additional flooding and landslides in many of the same areas which are still waterlogged, with those who have lost their homes and who are living in temporary shelters the most vulnerable to the potential impacts. Damage to homes was reported, mostly in Jaffna District,
where many houses were damaged and many were destroyed. It appears most of the damage was a result of strong winds and heavy rain fall.
Due to ongoing heavy and persistent rains, there is increased risk of further flooding, in all over Sri Lanka. Social isolation and the rapid spread of Covid 19 within this period in Jaffna district also trigger the issues more to the affected community.
Distribution pattern
As per the observation and the suggestions by the Government Agent from Jaffna, Centre for Women and Development have planned to give dry rations to the identified the selected area where people were affected by flood and cyclone.
The Distribution was implemented through relevant government officers in each area including Divisional Secretary, Grama Niladari, Development officers, Rural Development Officers and Staffs from CWD have distributed dry rations by visiting their homes and in some cases in common places with the social distances and all the safety measurements. We have packed the food
separately for hygiene purposes.
We have selected 235 families from 4 divisions including Nallur, Kopy Velanai and Sandilipay. Each family received dry rations worth 1600 including rice, milk power, Sugar, Dhal, tea and biscuits based on the family members and the need for women and children who have attached with the selected family.
At this juncture we highly appreciate your immediate support and thank you for the timely help and support on this venture and we will be happy if you would give your hand in future for more interventions of issues like.
The following areas were covered for the distribution.
1. Nallur Division- Cheddiyarthoddam -Sankiliyan Thoppu
Number of beneficiaries -71
There are 71 families where identified by CWD from the Sankiliyan Thoppu GS Division from Nallur Division. Grama Niladari from Nallur Divisions identified the people who are most vulnerable and also living under the poverty line. Some of them are still in the camps and schools and still they need more support to get in to their normal life since there were more school children and elders in the particular community.
2.Sandilipay division –(Manipay west ,Makiyapiddy Sandilipay North)
Number of beneficiaries -60
Sandilipay is a town located around 14 km from the City of Jaffna; Sri Lanka.It has now become as a mostly affected area by Covid 19 and also had an impact due to cyclone and flood. Due to the Covid pandemic situation we were strictly ordered by the relevant authority to take all the safety measurements and handed over the dry rations packets in the relevant government officers and in
some cases handed over to the relevant community.
3.Velanai- Punkudutheevu
Number of beneficiaries -45
Since Punkudutheevu is a small island composed of number villages that is just west of the Jaffna Peninsula in Sri Lankan Tamil dominated Northern Province. It is divided into 12 wards internally, each corresponding a major settlement. CWD has selected few of the people based on their vulnerability from different wards and distributed the packets.Punkudutheevu south GS division was selected for the distribution, CWD Staffs are distributing the packets to the particular ward people in front of the government officers.
4. Kopay – Achchuveli
Number of beneficiaries -59
Under the Kopay DS Division Achuveli GS division was selected based on the observation and Kopay Divisional Secretariat gave her support for beneficiary selection and the distribution of the dry rations packets in person. With CWD staffs and relevant government staffs. The road was very damaged by the flood and we found it difficult to get into some of the places.
The full report is available by request from project@tenfortamils.org.au.