The United Nations and the Sri Lankan government are preparing a joint plan for assistance for the north of the country. It will be ready by early February and will be a comprehensive “to-do” list that was essential to make sure that the needs of the people were met, said a senior U.N. official.
The plan was prepared in consultation with the Sri Lankan government and was being given the final touches. The plan had included the role of international NGOs, and a host of other organisations working in the Jaffna area so that development could be approached in an integrated manner.
Underlining the fact that “the future of the north is investing in people,” U.N. relief official Catherine Bragg said “with respect to the north, there are tremendous needs…shelter, more land for cultivation, livelihoods, health, education, irrigation… all were areas that required rebuilding and investment.”
Commending the government for its performance in resettlement and its reaction to the recent catastrophic floods in the east, she said substantial funds were required to make sure that people were back on their feet.
Speaking about her visit to the north, she said that schools and homes were being rebuilt, but the main concern was that there was “no economic activity”.
She asked people in the north about their means of livelihood and most of them responded that the money they were given would last about three months.
This was an area of concern, she said.
Ms. Bragg, who serves as Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator, said most of the returnees currently have limited access to basic services such as shelter, water and sanitation and health care.
In her meetings with Ministers late last week, Ms. Bragg reaffirmed the commitment of the U.N. and NGOs to remaining in Sri Lanka to help the government, especially in rebuilding the north.
Ms. Bragg also visited the worst flood-affected areas in the east of the country and launched a flash appeal to raise $51 million in emergency funds for the one million people who are affected.
