Ten thousand transitional camps for IDPs to be ready on time

The government yesterday assured that the Rs.300 million worth 10 000 transitional homes earmarked for the Internally Displaced People (IDPs) in Chettikulam, will be completed by the end of this month as scheduled.
Resettlement and Disaster Relief Ministry Secretary M Haldeen told The Bottom Line that advances of Rs.50 million had been paid to four government companies including the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB), State Engineering Corporation (SEC) and North Provincial Council, to build the first series of transitional shelters allocated to them.
“So far around 1800 shelters are near completion at Menik Camp. Each of the state corporations has been allocated 2000 shelters each, which we have been assured will be ready on time. In addition the Northern Provincial Council is constructing 1000 shelters,” he said.
Assuring that the government is ready for an increased influx of IDPs, he also mentioned that efforts by the UNHCR to set up 10 000 tents in zone three were half completed.

(UJ)