Asia Tsunami

SITUATION UPDATE: Sri Lanka

In Sri Lanka, thanks to massive public support, Oxfam has helped around 428,000 people and spent £5.2 million on our response (as of 31 March 2005)

What is Oxfam doing?

In Sri Lanka, Oxfam is working in five locations with new offices in Ampara and Matara, and expansion of our existing three field offices in Killinochchi, Trincomalee and Batticaloa.

We are working with community groups to deliver water, sanitation and hygiene activities (water tinkering, cleaning wells, building latrines and bathing spaces) all connected with the construction of transitional shelters to bridge the gap between emergency tents and families to return to their communities. A livelihoods and food security programme are also a key feature of our work which involves cash-for-work projects and support with the recovery of livelihoods (through cash grants and vouchers given to community members). All these activities have been implemented through Oxfam's partners, and the wider community.

What has been achieved?

Public Health

Oxfam is directly providing 400,000 litres of water a day in seven districts, and we are facilitating the delivery of an additional 300,000 litres of water a day. To ensure that water being collected from standing water supplies, such as rivers and wells, is safe to drink, 5,000 water filters have been distributed to households across affected districts. In camps for the displaced and other transitional settings, Oxfam engineers have installed 700 permanent and transitional latrines; local partner organisations have constructed latrines for an additional 800 families.

Oxfam has distributed relief items to 103,000 families that have helped improve sanitary conditions. Materials that families have received include soap, detergent, sanitary cloths, mosquito nets, supplies for babies, stoves, cooking utensils, buckets, mattresses and undergarments.

In addition to providing water, sanitation and hygiene promotion materials, Oxfam has helped increase awareness about the importance of good hygiene among local populations. Oxfam staff identified and trained 300 volunteers as public health educators to teach people in the camps, especially children, basic hygiene techniques through plays, performances, murals on water tanks, and printed materials. To help people in urgent need of medical assistance, 1,000 families have received preventive and curative care from a medical team.

Livelihoods and food security

More than 22,600 individuals have benefited from Oxfam's cash-for-work and livelihoods programmes in Sri Lanka. Local partner organisations have assisted an additional 1,500 families with cash-for-work programmes, and 1,200 families were provided with material assistance such as fuel, fishing nets, and tools used in the coir (coconut fibre) industry. Plans have been developed to provide livelihoods assistance to an additional 12,000 people in Galle and Matara.

Oxfam local partner organisations provided food to 44,500 families. Rice, lentils, sugar, flour, tea, vegetables, oil and noodles were among the food items supplied. Oxfam partners also assisted in transporting government rations to families living in remote areas.

Temporary and permanent shelter construction

By the end of March 2005, Oxfam has constructed 600 single-family units. By the end of May, we expect to have completed an additional 2,400 shelters. Responding to a request from the government in Sri Lanka, Oxfam has ordered enough timber from Australia to construct 12,900 houses. The timber will be donated to other agencies involved in shelter construction.

Restoration of social services

More than 400 children received materials needed to return to school, such as uniforms, books, satchels and pencils.

Disaster Management

Oxfam has provided ten community-based organisations with assistance in rebuilding offices, strengthening staff capacity, and replacing critical resources required to respond to