Disease outbreak in Sri Lankan camps imminent, says Christian Aid

Head of CHA speaks out

Jeevan Thiagarajah is Chairman, Institute for Human Rights, a Sri Lankan NGO and Executive Director, Consortium of Humanitarian Agencies. Thiagarajah has worked in the NGO sector in Sri Lanka since 1984, holding executive positions in several humanitarian and human rights organisations. In an interview with The Sunday Leader Thiagarajah spoke candidly of the disturbing humanitarian situation in the Wanni and its long term consequences.

Q: What steps have been taken to meet and stabilise the needs of displaced civilians?

A: The effort to meet the needs of civilians is backed by a group drawn from the GoSL, UN and CHA. They support a regional committee based in Vavuniya. The first step has been to find transitionary accommodation in 12 centres. However many of these centres are schools and those housed in them will shortly have to be resettled elsewhere.

Food was initially delivered, but now cooked meals are supplied from within the centers - this is a significant logistical and financial challenge. Water and sanitation require  a significant focus. Given the cold nights and dry dusty days, respiratory illnesses are common.  The enumeration of those who have arrived, tabulating their needs, recording supplies and recognising the contributors on line is another vital task. Family reunification has begun.

The police are likely to issue IDs which should as a first step allow limited movement within the district. Ensuring the people in the centres do not remain idle will be the next challenge. Education for children and protection for the unusually large number of young mothers and women is another focus. The injured and accompanying family members will need support now and in post hospitalisation recuperation. A whole host of persons and agencies have worked tirelessly. Some working  from very early morning to the wee hours of the next day, every day!

Q: There are charges of 'aid pornography' taking place.  What are your comments?

A: The challenge of this level of intervention is to avoid the pit falls of 'aid pornography.'  This includes an insistence of steaming past Medawachchiya in brand new gas guzzling SUVs  and painting the names of donors on everything from refuse bins onwards.   INGOs sometimes make nationals in and out of government become silent spectators when  determining the future of IDPs and given their control of donor purse strings accusations of neo colonialism, or aid imperialism are inevitable. 

Q: What plans have been made for building for the future?

A: While the emergency needs are stabilisation and planning, understanding the hopes and aspirations of all the displaced is also a priority.  Task group type mechanisms should be driven by a desire to return people to their home districts at the first possible opportunity. This is an imperative, driven not least by the financial considerations in a globally difficult environment. Nationals overseas should also be encouraged to donate to the resettlement and rehabilitation of their  land and their people. The war may peter out, but the conflicts must not haunt us for long. This requires adroit leadership skills.