Palmera Projects
Construction Of Temporary Shelters for IDP returnees
Amount Donated: $15,000
Project commencement: 12 October 2009
Partner Organisation: LEADS
Background
Sri Lanka saw an end to the 26 year long armed conflict in May 2009. The last battles saw the mass displacement of some 300,000 persons who were housed in IDP (internally displaced people) camps in Vavuniya, Trincomalee, Mannar and Jaffna from March 2009. In October 2009, the Srilankan Government began the slow release of families back to their original homes. The UN has commenced reconstruction of permanent homes in the war affected areas however in the meantime temporary shelter is a high priority for returnees.
Project Description
As part of the resettlement process there was an immediate need to undertake construction of temporary shelter for 125 families returning to their original houses in Manalkadu. Manalkadu is a fishing village in Vadamarachchi East, on the East coast of Jaffna Peninsula.
The temporary shelters designed by LEADS take into consideration environmental risks, as the area is prone to natural disasters like floods. To minimize the impact of floods the shelters are on a higher elevation. The shelters are designed as 12’x12. 5’,cement flooring and a 6” concrete ridge around the shelter. The shelter is cadjan thatched. Please see attachments for diagram and pictures of the finalised shelter.
Monitoring update
As at end of February 2010, 87 shelters have been constructed with funds from Palmera allocated for 32 shelters. The Government has recommended that LEADS continue the balance 38 shelters in a neighbouring village for families who have just returned from the camps, since the construction of permanent shelter are underway for the original 125,whereas the neighbouring community are in a more vulnerable position.
The project was completed on 26 March 2010.
Supporting documentation
Click the following links to see the issued by the Partner Organisation and the that was built.
Description of Partner
LEADS are a registered community development organization whose focus is in assisting the most vulnerable and poor people of Sri Lanka. They work to empower the poor and their families in transforming their communities, to advocate and inform on behalf of the voiceless and to provide care for people and communities experiencing emergency physical harm and long-term neglect.