By Julian Kamal

An email from a US based fund manager in early 2009 had this passage: “We will be reviewing all assistance and funding three months after the last IDPs arrive in the camps. Given the developments over the weekend this is likely to be around July 20, 2009. At that time we will review the international communities’ approach and USAID/OFDA have been clear that they, along with ECHO and DFID, retain the option of leaving the government to meet its responsibilities unassisted if policy doesn’t change.” The comment was around any slowness by the government taking effective measures to return IDPs. Clear intent to act in concert was visible.

There is no doubt, district driven plans for return in all five northern districts is ready. The first organised movement took place recently. Two more to follow were aborted on the due dates. Largely due to UN pressure around mine clearance certification. The question that arises is, can the country not make that judgement professionally without UN certificates? What would be the fall out of a slowing down of return?

Every single IDP arriving in 2009, other than those housed in government constructed shelter are in tents which are guaranteed to be taken off its pegs with the monsoons. Around 98% of the close on 9500 toilets  have sewage being released to the soil. Many with plywood boxes serving as pits. It is common knowledge the soil in an around the camps do not absorb fluids.

The rains will ensure the water mixed with sewage becomes a common pool invading ground inhabited by IDPs. The very same agencies who constructed these emergency toilets continue to muscle their way into more contracts. One in particular using a senior retired officer to open doors.

Most of the health centres donated are made to be temporary and are flimsy and open to the elements. One was not used since the medical staff refused to work in such dusty surroundings. Many of these structures are not one in which you would identify the practice of medicine for the well being of the sick.

A draft document from UNHCR on August 5 for  contingency planning for the rainy seasons in the IDP emergency shelter sites in Sri Lanka offers this opinion.

Basic scenarios that may emerge during the rainy season

Various scenarios may emerge during the rainy season. It goes from regular rain which may cause slight damage to shelters, to a situation where strong winds and rain may destroy shelters and tents and flood large areas in the camps. In some cases, cyclones may happen in the north and east of the country.

1.  Care and maintenance of existing emergency shelter and tents.

    • Basic wood structure of emergency shelter kits are strong enough and can be preserved.

    • Plastic structures are being replaced when damaged.

    • Technical improvements being done on fixing the plastic sheets to avoid damages
       by heavy wind and rain.

    • Light plastic sheets forming the walls of the shelter might need to be replaced
      by stronger plastic sheets.

2. Drainage of roads inside the camps

It was initially understood that camp infrastructure works, including drainage, were the responsibility of the local authorities. However, in June, the government informed UNHCR that they will not have the capacity to do the drainage in the camps and requested UNHCR’s support.

Conclusion

It is to be stressed that these works are being made in an emergency situation, while the international community was not prepared to take over such an important responsibility. More importantly, such works may not eliminate the impact of a natural disaster, such as a cyclone bringing heavy rain and winds. The works planned will only minimise the impact of a large rainfall.’

The government is held responsible for the welfare of the IDPs though the actual facilities are given by international agencies. Sheltered under plastic sheets! Return is slowed by the very agencies who clamoured for swift return. Ironically the highly paid staff drawing close on one million rupees  a month to keep an watchful eye on shelter could with all their ingenious plans provide only emergency facilities preparing the way for the next emergency at very handsome dividend for agency and personnel alike!

Fund raising has innovative presentations where the CHAP shows money raised by individual agencies as part of what has been raised by the UN thereby showing   inflated  figures. Another development has been the heightened suspicion about the motives of some of the staff of the international agencies for engaging in activities incompatible with their status including those who seem needed for UN/INGO security liaison in a  government controlled country.

This country continues to be suckered by these profiteers who enrich themselves at  terrible cost to our people while continuing to feather their insidious nests.