Workshop on conflict sensitive relief work held for INGOs

[TamilNet, Monday, 14 February 2005, 02:09 GMT]
One-day workshop for representatives of international non-governmental organizations (INGOs) currently engaged in post tsunami relief and rehabilitation programmes in the Trincomalee district on how to conduct relief work without disturbing the currently prevailing ground situation was held in Trincomalee Sunday under the auspices of Performance Improvement Project (PIP) of the German Technical Co-operation (GTZ) in the North East Provincial Council (NEPC) guest house which is located in Uppuveli, a suburb of the east port town.

Mr.Walter Keller, Senior Advisior of PIP of GTZ

Currently NEPC and local authorities have been left out in the post tsunami relief and rehabilitation works in the district. INGOs' representatives were requested to collaborate with the local NGOS and community based organizations (CBO) when implementing post tsunami development activities in the district, sources said.

Mr.S.Rangarajah, Chief Secretary of the NEPC said a common programme formulated by INGOs for post tsunami development would not suit to the ground situation of the northeast. They should formulate a scheme giving special attention to the problems specific to the provinces especially to the Trincomalee district.

Mr.Selvin Irenuess, SIHRN Director

Northeast has experienced development deprivation, followed by destruction due to war and then struck by tsunami disaster. Therefore the INGOs should take into consideration the complex situation of the province when implementing post tsunami development programme in the northeast, said Mr. Rangarajah.

Mr.Selvin Ireneuss, SIHRN Director said INGOs should give adequate pressure to the government to formulate an operational mechanism to implement post tsunami development activities in the northeast province. He added that Trincomalee district is having unique problem compared to other districtsin the province. The activities of the INGOs should not disturb the ethnic demography of the district.

Mr.S.Rangarajah, NEPC Chief Secretary

Some elements from Colombo are exerting pressure on the Government Agent in the Trincomalee district to obtain permission from the central government for all tsunami relief and rehabilitation developments in the district thus derailing the District Task Force mechanism which comprises representatives of State institutions and the LTTE. INGOs should ensure transparency in the working of the District Task Force mechanism, he said.

Mr. Irenuess said INGOs have to identify and expose those who are working with a hidden agenda to exert control over the Government Agent regarding to the tsunami relief and rehabilitation in the Trincomalee district.

Dr Ms Stephanie Schell-Faucon, Senior Advisor of the Department for International Development (DFID) of the GTZ and Mr.S.Balakrishnan, Director of the Special Programme of the Foundation for Co-Existence and National Peace Council also spoke.