It is a tale of shock and grief; crossing swollen rivers, plodding through jungle terrain for days, running through crossfire . Some 75,000 people; some on foot, others on tractors, left Vakarai on the island's north-east coast at night and were heading south towards government-held territory a few kilometres away.
But their harrowing, journey does not stop there. There are still many struggles ahead. Sites are hosting people at twice their actual capacity; the district is facing a potential food shortage, and many families have been separated in flight. These camps are supported by various NGOs as the government finds it hard to cope with the demands of shelter, food and sanitation, created by the huge influx of IDPs.
The majority of people initially stayed in schools, and as the school year started, displaced people were moved into tents in several sites (camps). Although the camps are longer-term sites identified by the authorities, they do not provide conducive atmosphere for a long stay.
While many IDPs are spending their displacement in temporary camps, others have sought informal assistance from relatives and friends. Not all the displaced are lucky enough to have a host family. Most IDPs are living in open areas, where rows of tents stretch into the distance. Men and women, who do not know each other, are forced to live in the same hut, with least privacy for women. It is hard to imagine the psychological impact of living in a tent, scorching during the day and shivering in the night. Some camps have few common toilets but some times it is open air toilets in the bushes that they have to use.
Most IDPs still prefer to stay in camps because they could be easily reached by humanitarian agencies. However it is only a fourth of IDPs who can afford to live with host families. "People who can support themselves, prefer to stay with relatives of friends and fend for themselves in their new locations," says Jadhav Subhash, Norwegian Refugee Council's Project Coordinator for Emergency Shelter in Batticaloa.
In the wake of a humanitarian crisis with thousands of displaced people on the move, the government as well as agencies are keen for the recently displaced to stay with host families. "Of course it is more work for agencies," continues Subhash, "but it is the best available option in terms of suitable community, cleanliness, security and trust." A mutual trust between IDPs and the host families is essential. "In most cases they are relatives or friends, agencies cannot link IDPs with host families," he adds.
The 'ladder of options', in the emergency shelter policy developed by UNHCR in coordination with other agencies recommends host family arrangement as the preferred option for emergency shelter. While plastic sheeting is provided to give immediate shelter, NRC is providing additional shelter assistance by means of shelter kits through an assessment and consultation with beneficiaries and host families.
NRC has provided emergency shelter kits consisting construction material such as cadjan and timber to around 900 families who are living with host families in Manmunai North and Valachchenai in Batticaloa district. Not many agencies supply food and NFRI to them. Those who could afford have pawned or sold their valuables like jewellery in order to fend for themselves. Without additional support - like relief items, shelter, water and sanitation facilities - that pressure could lead to other humanitarian concerns, therefore NRC also provided water and sanitation facilities for displaced families in host community. All the construction activities are carried out through mobilised IDP labour, and NRC technical officers supervise the construction.
On most occasions, there are multiple IDP families living with a single host family. In some ways reliance on local webs of support and networking is good but host families will also need support to cope with sudden burdens "We are now carrying out a needs assessment to assist families hosting IDPS upon realizing that families welcoming IDPs into their homes needed help," says Subhash. NRC provides permanent water and sanitation facilities for host communities, so that they can benefit from it. "It is only fair that they are supported in some way," he adds.
Anandi Rassamma is the host of 18 displaced families in her backyard in Kannakipuram in Valachchenai. "First four families came here in April 2005, they came walking all the way. In last December and January some more families came here," she says. Out of them four are from Verugal in Trincomalee district while the others are from Vakarai. There was only one well and one toilet for 18 families. NRC constructed three tube wells and six toilets for this community.
Families did not seem keen to move back to Vakarai. In addition they have no idea if their homes are safe or destroyed. "We like to go back home, but only after international organizations can assure us about the security," they all say unanimously. To them peace and the memories of the calmness the ceasefire offered seem far away. They only know that the journey continues.
[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]
