Tsunami disaster -- Sri Lanka Summary situation report 26 - 31 Dec 2004

I. SITUATION
1. Nature of the Disaster

On the morning of 26 December, Tsunamis and massive tidal waves caused by the massive earthquake that struck off the western coast of northern Sumatra, hit the eastern, southern and large parts of the western coasts of Sri Lanka. The waves swept thousands of people away, destroyed infrastructure and flooded large areas of coastal lands. Of the 25 districts in the country, 12 have been severely affected. As of 31 December, the Government is reporting 27,589 deaths, 889,175 people displaced with over 79,100 houses destroyed.

2. Area affected

The tidal wave has particularly affected the coastal districts of Jaffna, Mullativu, Trincomalee, Batticaloa, Ampara, Hambantota, Matara and Galle. Areas in the North and East of the country had already been affected by serious monsoon floods in previous months leading to displacement and infrastructure damage. The areas and regions most affected are reflected in the attached map.

3. Impact

The impact has been devastating for those communities affected as the massive loss of life has decimated communities. In the most affected districts large numbers of displaced are taking refuge in schools and government buildings and are out in the open on areas of higher ground with little or no access to life sustaining services and facilities. In the immediate term, there are concerns that the death toll will increase in the absence of adequate relief efforts. The immediate priority areas of response are for water and sanitation, health, shelter, food and non-food items.

Initial assessments have been undertaken by inter agency teams working in close collaboration with the relevant district authorities. Detailed assessments have been completed in four of the most affected districts (Galle, Matara, Ampara, Hambantota,). Assessments in the remaining areas are ongoing and results are expected within the coming days. The detail of the number of persons affected and houses damaged as reported by the Government is attached as Annex 1.

A summary of the assessment information gathered to date is given below. The detailed assessment reports are available on the Government website managed by the Centre for National Operations (CNO): www.priu.gov.lk/cno

Galle

While there is access to the district, there is considerable damage to infrastructure including to roads and bridges. 70 % of buildings immediately located on the coastline have been completely destroyed and at least 30% of structures have suffered damage up to 1 km inland. Of immediate concern is the damage caused to the health centres, in particular the Galle Maternity hospital. While the population has been routinely immunised, there remain fears of potential water and vector borne disease outbreaks. While there has been a disruption to water supply, potable water is available. However, the lack of sanitation facilities is a major concern.

Ampara

Access to those affected in Ampara is good by road. Damage to infrastructure includes to six hospitals which has significantly disrupted health services. Public buildings are being used as temporary shelters for those who have lost their homes. Water supplies are generally disrupted and there remains a shortage of clean drinking water. Food supply is adequate and supported by local donations although in the medium term will become an issue.

Matara

While there is access to Matara, secondary roads are in poor condition and may hamper efforts to bring relief supplies to those affected. Food and water is available to affected communities although concerns remain on the health situation in view of the limited sanitary conditions.

Hambantot

Affected areas are accessible although road clearance remains an issue in some areas. No hospitals in the district were damaged although several health centres have been affected. Electricity and water supplies have been disrupted. 95 % of fishing boats have been lost or destroyed which will have a significant impact on livelihoods. While shelter for the displaced is provided by use of schools and churches/ mosques, shelter remains a primary need.

Additional information compiled from reports from agency personal operating in other affected areas indicate a pattern of needs based on depleted health services, limited access to food and concerns over the effects of limited water supply and poor sanitary conditions.

4. Secondary Threats

Secondary threat of water and vector borne disease are well recognised as the greatest concern. Initial concerns over the possibility of threats from landmine washed away from marked or known areas in the Jaffna peninsular have been investigated and are not considered a significant threat. While in many places the inundation from the Tsunami has receded, further flooding caused by heavy rains in some areas is hampering the relief effort and exacerbating poor sanitary conditions of those displaced.

II. NATIONAL RESPONSE

The Government has established a Centre for National Operations under the direct authority of the Prime Minister which serves to coordinate the relief operation. The centre provides vital links to the sectoral ministries and provides the interface between the Government, the NGOs and the UN. Information is compiled centrally and disseminated through the Government website www.priu.gov.lk/cno. The Centre is directly supported by the Office of the Resident Coordinator and the UNDAC team..

At the district level , all assistance is being coordinated by the Government Agents (GA)

The UN has deployed inter agency teams in each of the affected areas to support the GA to identify and service needs.

III. COUNTRY-LEVEL INTERNATIONAL RESPONSE

International response to the needs in Sri Lanka have been considerable. Immediate response from the UN system includes the following

- release and distribution by UNHCR of relief items totalling US$380,000

- release and on going distribution of 5,300MTS of food by WFP with US$500,000 made available for the local purchase of urgently needed food stocks

- the provision by UNICEF of medical kits that will allow 15 hospitals to service the needs of 150,000 people for three months as well as the distribution of shelter and non food relief packages for up to 30,000 people.

- The provision of US$150,000 from UNFPA to support assessment of hygiene needs and psycho social support

- The provision of 900,000 water purification tablets and four emergency health kits sufficient for 10,000 people for 3 months

- Support from FAO to assess damages to fisheries and agriculture sector.

- The provision of a 10 member team sent by OCHA to support the Government and the UN family with assessment and coordination activities.

- UNDP has re-deployed UNVs to work with the District Secretaries to assist with the coordination of information at the local level.

There has been a increase in the capacity provided through international NGOs with OXFAM, GOAL, World Vision, Merlin, ACT agencies, AAH, ADRA among others, all significantly strengthening their presence and operations in the country. The Red Cross Movement (IFRC, ICRC and the SRRC National Society) has already issued an international appeal for the region for USD$ 59m including the needs for Sri Lanka. Contributions from donor nations for activities in Sri Lanka have been generous and are in excess of US$35 million.

IV. REQUIREMENTS FOR INTERNATIONAL ASSISTANCE

A flash appeal prepared by the Office of the Resident Coordinator is currently being finalised by the UN system and its partners. The appeal will be part of a region wide appeal for international assistance for victims of the Tsunami. The appeal will cover the most urgent life saving and life sustaining needs for a period of 6 months. Indications are that the appeal will request US$147m for activities that support food, health, water and sanitation, shelter and non food items, emergency education, coordination, restoration of livelihoods and rehabilitation of critical infrastructure. The Appeal will be launched on 6th January 2005.