Moothoor east IDP families suffer without proper shelters

[TamilNet, Sunday, 15 November 2009, 15:56 GMT]
One hundred and two Tamil displaced families who are not allowed to resettle in their villages Kadatkaraichcheanai and Champoor in Moothoor east which have been declared high security zone (HSZ) since the fall of Moothoor east to Sri Lanka Army in 2006 April, are undergoing untold hardships without permanent structures to live. They had first fled and sought refuge in Batticaloa.

Few months ago they were bought down from Batticaloa to Moothoor east in the name of resettlement. But they were not allowed to go to their villages which are located in the HSZ. However, they were provided alternate lands elsewhere that were not suitable for human habitat.

Now they are given temporary shelter in buildings used by a handloom centre and public market in Kaddaipa’richchaan for the time being.

They complain that these buildings are leaky in rainy season and they are unable to sleep or cook as rain water enters the shelters. Their children fall sick frequently due to cold weather.

They have appealed to non-governmental organizations to provide them with financial assistance to put up temporary structures on their own, in private lands available in Kaddaipa’richchaan.