Over 2000 IDPs resettled yesterday

By Nizla Naizer

Close to 2120 IDPs were resettled in their former homes in the Mannar District as Phase 2 of the resettlement programme under ‘Uthuru Wasanthaya’ started off yesterday.

Presidential Advisor Basil Rajapaksa visited the welfare centrEs yesterday with Resettlement and Disaster Management Minister Rishad Bathiudeen and Social Services Minister Douglas Devananda. Here they are seen inspecting one of the shelters

The 561 families who were previously housed in shelters and makeshift camps close to the Mannar town were taken back to their homes in the Musali Divisional Secretariat. Disaster and Resettlement Minister Rishard Bathiudeen and Special Advisor to the President Basil Rajapaksa along with officials from the District launched the resettlement programme.
Meanwhile, Japanese Special Envoy Yasushi Akashi visited the IDP camps in Vavuniya yesterday and is due to meet the President today.
According to Resettlement Ministry Secretary U.L.M. Haldeen, the Musali Divisional Secretariat has been certified as mine-free by the UN while infrastructural facilities such as water and electricity have been provided to the homes. “The families chosen to be resettled are extremely happy to be going back home,” he stated. “Most of these individuals are fishermen and farmers and there is a coordinated approach to bring their livelihoods back.”
The resettlement will take place in the Grama Niladhari Divisions of Maradamadu, Poonochchikulam, Pandaraweli, Koolankulam, Sinnapulachchikutkerni, Arippu West and Aruppu East.
The Fisheries Ministry will assist in providing nets and boats to the fishermen among the community and the Agriculture Ministry will provide seeds and support to start the surrounding farms and paddy cultivations in an integrated approach to develop the resettled community. Meanwhile, the UNHCR has come forward to help improve their homes. The resettled individuals will also be provided with dry rations adequate for two weeks.
The third stage of resettlement in the Musali Divisional Secretariat will take place once the de-mining in the area is complete.