IDPs in flood-hit Trinco, Batticaloa struggle to cope- ICRC

[TamilNet, Friday, 21 December 2007, 15:33 GMT]
Displaced families sheltered in temporary structures in the districts of Trincomalee and Batticaloa are facing a grave situation without enough food, health and sanitation facilities due to flood following heavy monsoon rains inundating their dwellings, the International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC) said in a field report for the period 20 November-December 20.

The report further states that according to information supplied by local officials, around 26,400 displaced persons have been sheltered in about 20 camps and with their relatives in the Batticaloa district. About 8,400 of them are displaced from Trincomalee district. Around 104,500 displaced persons have been resettled in the north and west of the Batticaloa district. About 13,849 persons have been resettled in Trincomalee district. Around 21,900 displaced persons have been still staying in about 10 temporary structures and also with their relatives in Mannaar district. Around 10,565 displaced have been staying in six temporary structures in Vavuniyaa district, ICRC said in its field report.

The Batticaloa district office of the ICRC has supplied food, medicine and other facilities to about 9,500 resettled persons. The ICRC has been maintaining two centres for displaced persons in Maavadivembu and Koralankerni.

ICRC has constructed ninety permanent structures in Mannaar district and has supplied displaced with food and medicine and relief assistance. In addition the construction of 135 houses is in progress, the ICRC report said.