Over 325,000 IDPs resettled in North — OCHA

As of 2 December, a total of 325,820 persons (102,081 families) have been resettled in the Northern Province since August 2009, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

In October government authorities organised several commendable initiatives to share information with the IDPs as a means of managing expectations about the return process.

This included a ‘come‐and‐tell’ visit to Menik Farm by the Mullaitivu authorities on 25 October to explain the delay re-settling the families in Puthukudiyiruppu and Maritimepattu DS Divisions due to widespread mine/UXO contamination.

The IDPs hailing from the Mullikkulam region of Madhu DS Division in the Mannar District undertook a ‘go‐and‐see’ visit to see the conditions of their home areas. On both these occasions, local government officials and demining agencies assured the IDPs that mine clearance was on, paving the way for resettlement and advised the IDPs against returning till the work had been completed.

The southern section of Mullikkulam village was released for resettlement during October, while demining continues in the northern area.

OCHA report also states that an increasing number of agencies had left the Mannar District, because of perceptions that the need for their work had diminished with IDP returns completed. Authorities and partners remaining in the area continue, however, to record significant continuing needs in returned communities, including shelter, water, food, livelihood and other assistance.

Long‐term IDPs seeking to return from Puttalam District and refugees returning from India too will require some support, the report said.

The ICRC closed its Mannar office on 30 November, with plans to shut down the Vavuniya and Jaffna offices as well.

On 5 November, 158 alleged former combatants from Vavuniya District rehabilitation centres were handed over to their families.

The Cabinet, on the advice of the Rehabilitation and Prison Reforms Minister on 4 November, approved a reintegration plan for alleged former combatants released from ‘protective accommodation’ and rehabilitation centres in the Northern and Eastern Provinces, OCHA said.

In October, 9,816 persons/3,110 families who were with host families returned to their areas of origin (Jaffna, Mullaitivu, Kilinochchi and Mannar Districts).