Jaffna IDPs woes worsen without relief

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 03 August 2004, 03:01 GMT]
Lack of employment opportunities, stalled economic growth, and infrastructure development at a virtual standstill continue to affect the lives of people of Jaffna especially the Internally Displaced People (IDPs). Many families, who have suffered loss of lives and loss of property during the two decades of war, face uphill battle to stay above the poverty line.

Ministry of Rehabilitation and Reconstruction (RRAN) has been helping the IDPs with daily ration. Until December 2003, approximately 136,000 families were beneficiaries of relief from Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority for the North (RRAN). Families below a monthly income of Rs.1500.00 qualified for the relief during 2002. In 2003, due to increase in cost of living RRAN authorities increased the income ceiling to Rs.2500.00.

In February 2004 the Government of Sri Lanka issued an unexpected notice that the number of ration-qualified families was to be reduced and that the following rules apply to qualify for relief:

1. The families which have received relief for 12 months after the receipt of resettlement fund (Rs 25000) will not be eligible, and
   
   
2. Those who arrived in Jaffna via A9 after the ceasefire agreement and those whose houses are located in the High Security Zone are eligible for relief.

The new regulations made 80,000 families ineligible for relief and reduced the ration-qualifief families to 56,000.

Confederation of Public Organizations notified Sri Lanka’s President, the Prime Minister, the Opposition leader, the Advisor to the President Mr.Harim Peiris and Secretary of RRAN explaining the impact this will have on the families which have been made ineligible to receive relief.

In a letter sent to Sri Lanka officials, the Confederation stressed the need to continue the relief system until an alternative means to assist the IDPs was found. “Normalcy is not yet restored in Jaffna. There are no new employment opportunities. The IDPs still cannot move to their former homes and engage in agriculture,” the letter said. The letter also recalled that the free ration was supplied to poor families before the displacements began.

The issue of rations was discussed in a special discussion held at the Jaffna Secretariat on 26 May chaired by Jaffna Government Agent Mr.S.Pathmanathan and attended by all district secretaries, representatives from nongovernmental organizations, representatives from public organizations, Jaffna District Sri Lanka Army (SLA) commander, Susil Chandrapala and Mr. Harim Peiris.

A resolution was passed that the relief will be continued for at least six months or until an alternative program is instituted to help the IDPs receiving assistance. Mr.Peiris assured the attendees that he would make every effort to see the resolution implemented. This was notified to the GA by the secretary of RRAN which instructed ration for the months February to July be given and accordingly ration for February was supplied .

But families, including those qualified under the new rules, have not received rations from March.

Recent reports in the local media said that RRAN is making arrangements to distribute the suspended relief.

In a recent response to a TamilNet report Ministry of Relief, Rehabilitation & Reconciliation has responded: "Government Agent informs that there was a delay in the distribution of food relief due to his inability to procure rice from Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu as a result of delayed harvest and the increase in market price of rice.

"GA has been requested to expedite procurement of rice and ensure that food relief reaches the IDPS in time.

"It is not the intention of the Government to deprive food relief to the deserving families who depend fully on relief", the letter said.

Secretary of the Confederation of public organizations, Mr.P.Kanagalingam, said that if the inhumane treatment of the IDPs continued, they are planning to conduct a picketing campaign in front of the Jaffna Secretariat.

Mr.Kanagalingam also said that the present level of relief:

• A family of 5 or more members 1260,00
• A family of 4 members 1016,00
• A family of 3 members 840,00
• A family of 2 members 408,00
• A family of 1 members 336,00

should be increased to a more decent value for the families to survive during the current harsh economic situation.

He also urged the international community and Government Agents to pressure the government to act urgently to address the humanitarian needs of the internally displaced in Jaffna.

Related Articles:
30.07.04   Reply to TamilNet (On suspension of IDP relief)
28.07.04   Jaffna IDP families struggle to survive without relief
30.05.04   SL Government suspends dry ration relief to Amparai IDPs
28.05.04   LTTE, SLA discuss issues affecting Jaffna
26.05.04   SL President's media spokesman visits Jaffna
25.05.04   SL govt. denies relief to majority of IDPs in Jaffna
21.05.04   SL President urged not to stop relief to IDPs in Jaffna dist..