VZCZCXYZ0017
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHLM #0526/01 0941303
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 041303Z APR 07
FM AMEMBASSY COLOMBO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5808
RUEHKT/AMEMBASSY KATHMANDU 5081

UNCLAS COLOMBO 000526 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE PASS TO USAID 
AID/W PLEASE PASS USAID/OFDA, USAID/ANE, USAID/CMM 
KATHMANDU FOR OFDA REGIONAL ADVISOR WILLIAM BERGER 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREF CE
SUBJECT:  UNHCR ASSESSES HUMANITARIAN SITUATION IN THE VAKARAI 
DISTRICT 
 
REF: COLOMBO 0310 
 
¶1.  (U) Summary:  Ambassador and USAID Program Officer attended the 
seventh Consultative Committee on Humanitarian Assistance (CCHA) 
meeting, chaired by the Minister of Disaster Management and Human 
Rights and attended by the Secretary of Defense and representatives 
of UN agencies, the ICRC, and other relevant GSL ministries, on 
March 29.  At the meeting, the UNHCR Country Representative reported 
that a UNHCR Assessment Team just returned from the Vakarai District 
with a report on the humanitarian situation. The team found 
widespread destruction of property.  Food was available but the 
schedule of future deliveries unknown.  Ambassador met with Basil 
Rajapakse, the President's chief political advisor, on April 4 to 
urge that resettlement take place according to international 
standards, and that the Government ensure that those who are 
resettled have adequate food, water, shelter and the means to regain 
their livelihoods (septel). End Summary. 
 
¶2.  (SBU) While the UNHCR Assessment Team was not accompanied by the 
army in Vakarai, the team did limit the geographic breadth of the 
assessment under its own internal security guidelines due to the 
presence of landmines.  Team members wore flak jackets and kept to 
the main roads.  The team reported that no de-mining work was 
visible; however, landmine warning tapes were evident at the 
entrance to Vakarai, indicating mine risk.  The final version of the 
assessment report is not yet available, but USAID received an 
advance draft copy which is the basis for this cable. 
 
------------------- 
Visible Destruction 
------------------- 
 
¶3.  (SBU) The level of conflict-generated destruction that could be 
seen from the main road was reported to be extensive: rooftops were 
either totally or partially destroyed; bullet and shelling marks 
were evident on the buildings; and, according to the IDP returnees 
interviewed, properties were looted, interiors of houses damaged, 
cattle had disappeared, and household appliances and furniture were 
stolen.  Schools are also in need of structural repair, although 
classes are in session. 
 
------------------------------ 
Movement Considered Restricted 
------------------------------ 
 
¶4.  (SBU) When asked about their ability to move freely in and out 
of Vakarai District, the returnees interviewed stated they did not 
feel free to do so, although no one interviewed had tried to leave 
the district.  They feel that the Sri Lankan Army would prevent 
their departure if they attempted to do so.  In addition, those 
interviewed felt that the fighting in and around the Vakarai 
District would preclude a safe departure even if they were permitted 
to leave.  (Note: While some interviewees stated they are able to 
travel within the Vakarai District, it is unclear whether there are 
sufficient supplies within the district to meet the current needs.) 
 
 
-------------------- 
Food and Livelihoods 
-------------------- 
 
¶5.  (SBU) Interviewees stated that there was some food distribution 
but they did not know when additional food would be distributed 
again.  There is no set schedule for food distribution.  UNHCR notes 
that there is a critical need for a regular schedule for food 
distribution, especially since the community has restricted 
livelihoods.  For example, they cannot go into the forest area for 
hunting or honey collection due to land mines, and fishing is 
restricted by location and time. 
 
--------------------------------------- 
More Complete Needs Assessment Required 
--------------------------------------- 
 
¶6.  (SBU) UNHCR points out that a more comprehensive assessment of 
the needs in the Vakarai District is needed in order to fully 
understand the requirements they and other donors can act on.  This 
can only be carried out when de-mining is complete.  Post continues 
to stay informed of this and other humanitarian issues and wishes to 
thank USAID/OFDA for its continued support to the CHAP. 
 
¶7.  (SBU) Comment:  According to the UN, Sri Lanka is now in the 
unenviable position of having the largest number of IDPs in Asia. 
The Government of Sri Lanka is more open to discussing humanitarian 
assistance issues since the inception of the CCHA.  That said, the 
UN believes the government continues to undercount the numbers of 
IDPs affected by the conflict and is in general denial of the extent 
 
of the impact on its people.  Ambassador met with Basil Rajapakse, 
the President's chief political advisor, on April 4 to urge that 
resettlement take place according to international standards, and 
that the Government ensure that those who are resettled have 
adequate food, water, shelter and the means to regain their 
livelihoods (septel). 
BLAKE