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tsunami |
Our visit to
Killinochchi district
[11.08.2006]
Kallaru, a remote village bordering Mullaitivu district, was
another village badly damaged by the Tsunami. The government has
provided laud to 224 affected families, 2-3 kms away from the beach. A
unit comprising of fishing boats, nets etc cost approximately US$ 5,400.
On the basis that 3 families could share one unit, Kallaru requires 75
units. To date 50 units were provided. Donors who would like to
contribute, please indicate Kallaru Project in your correspondence.
[01.01.2006]
Kallaru, a remote village bordering Mullaitivu district, was
another village badly damaged by
It
was late afternoon on January 31, 2005 when we left Mullaitivu for
Killinochchi. The road was bad and rutty; and the under carriage of the
van suffered damage but fortunately we got through to Killinochchi.
An early departure was set
for the next day as well. After visiting a school for deaf and blind
children that is being sponsored by Manitha Neyam, we preceded, with the
GA and other representatives of the Killinochchi Secretariat, to a camp
for 250 families in Kallaru in Kandavalai - a remote village bordering
Mullaitivu District that was badly affected. Again some of the items
that had been sent ahead were distributed – Kitchen Utensils & other
utility items for 250 families, 200 gent’s bicycles and 350 packs for
school kids. We offered sweets to the children, who made sure they took
only their share and no more.
This time we had time to
talk with the affected persons. The agony of what they had gone through.
A young girl holding a baby who had lost his mother; a young boy who had
lost his aunt and baby cousin; persons living in Point Pedro, visiting
relatives and now accommodated in this camp. Women expressed their fear
of going back to live by the sea; but expressed a willingness to start
home industries such as poultry farming and even sewing while their
husbands went out to fish
Tents had been provided to
house each family. A covered shelter was provided for cooking. A
couple of young boys played with their marbles. Young girls helped with
the babies of other families. Women kept each other company. Two young
women working with the Red Cross – one of whom was from Jaffna - were
living in the camp and were also involved in counselling.
We then went to the coast
– there was no road. We had to traverse over land spreads and fields of
the Chundikulam Sanctuary. Fortunately this time we were using 2 4WDs.
The water had come in 4 kilometres inland and left its signature on the
land. What had been grazing fields were now muddy and rugged - the
route circuitous. Finally we saw the coast ahead. There was sea sand
around us … and shells. Again the destruction... the all too familiar
signs of the dead palmyrah branches lay on the ground. And a constant
phenomenon in both Mullaitivu and Killinochchi - while the palm trees
had been destroyed by the waves, the coconut trees still stood – lone
survivors in the area. Apparently coconut trees thrive on salt. We
parked the vehicles and walked to the shores, a coastline that in normal
circumstances would have been one of the most beautiful that I had
seen. We wished that the commercialisation of tourism would never reach
this area and spoil its natural virgin beauty.
The sea was so calm. One
wondered how it could have ever caused so much damage. On the beach a
broken boat while a few yards away two young men work on repairing
another. On the shores an enormous quantity of sea shells just waiting
to be picked. We were told this was a natural phenomenon. What was not
natural was that there were so many shells inland. But also on the
shores dead fish, a cigarette lighter, plastic bottles, plates.
Just within the main
coastline, where fishing huts had once stood, all that remained was the
leaves and other materials. One sheet of plaited coconut leaves had
been propped up to form a temporary shelter for those involved in
clearing. On a tree nearby a saree was draped. Nearby there lay a
pile of strands of cloth. And this is conservative society. Such was
the power of the waves that had here again, wiped a road off the surface
of the earth. More boats that had been pushed further inland, smashed
and broken; and fishing nets lying around.
We were told that although
the homes of the seaside community had been destroyed the numbers were
small and all persons had been accounted for. The total number of
deaths was around 40. We were also made to understand that after
discussions with the villagers, there were plans to relocate and
rehabilitate the villagers some 2 kilometres away. A road would be
built to provide for easy access .to the coast.
Mr Rasanayagam, the Government Agent
for Killinochchi advised that plans for the IDPs included the
rehabilitation of the war IDPs who had been in camps for almost 20
years. It was expected that the Government would build some 2000
houses to accommodate all of them. The land on which the Kallaru camp
was located would be allocated for housing for 224 families. These
lands were 2 to 3 km away from the beach.
Most all of these families were into fishing and they had lost their
boats and nets. They needed to get back to their livelihood. The full
cost of a fishing boat, nets, etc. has been estimated at SL Rs. 360,000
(= US $ 3,600 or £ 2,000 or Aus $ 4,500), and three families would share
one set of fishing apparatus. The possibility of Manitha Neyam
supporting the development of this remote village was discussed.
We drove back to Killinochchi and went on for lunch at the Pandiyan
Restaurant. Thereafter we visited the other homes being supported by
Manitha Neyam…before leaving for Colombo around 7 p.m.
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