Relief measures to IDPs in Jaffna peninsula, meager – NGOs

[TamilNet, Saturday, 13 December 2008, 05:20 GMT]
Non-government Organizations (NGOs) in Jaffna peninsula claimed that relief measures announced by Jaffna Government Agent (GA) meant for more than 1,50,000 people displaced due to rains, floods and cyclone ‘Nisha’ after two weeks lapse were meager, sources in Jaffna said. The maximum a family of five or more could get was 3½ kg rice, 1.6 kg flour, 1 kg sugar and 200 gm lentils at a total worth of only 525 rupees per week, according to information released by Jaffna GA who said that action is being taken to supply this relief measures soon.

A family of one person is to get Rs. 245 worth food items, Rs. 315 for a family with two members, Rs. 385 for a family with three, Rs. 455 for one consisting of four and the maximum help, Rs. 525, for a family with five or more members, according to the information released by the GA.

The NGOs in Jaffna peninsula who cater to the immediate needs of the affected said that the government relief to them is just an act of eye-wash.

Though many of the IDPs are gradually returning to their devastated homes, a considerable number of them are still lodged in the temporary refuge centres and cooked food for these were supplied only for three days so far, the NGOs pointed out.

The correct figures of those affected by the rains, floods and cyclone have not been fully collected by the officials concerned, they further said.