Why Durable Solutions?

A durable solution is achieved if displaced (or otherwise affected) persons have no longer any specific assistance and protection needs and vulnerabilities that are directly linked to their having been displaced

We believe survival through the emergency phase is not sufficient.   In many cases, people affected by a disaster are not able to restart normal lives on their own when lives, houses, infrastructure and the economy are destroyed. The fact that people displaced by a disaster can return to their homes or are relocated to a safe area does not mean that such solutions are automatically durable and sustainable.

For a solution to be permanent, IDPs (and other affected persons) need in particular and must see: 

• Reconstruction of destroyed property and/or restitution of/compensation for lost  property and permanent housing, access to water etc .
• Access to services (health, education etc)
• Restoration of and access to livelihoods
• Restitution of lost/destroyed documents
  

Context

The Total number who crossed since October 2008 to government controlled areas are 282,380 persons.   At present Jaffna continues to host  approximately - 10,956 ; Mannar- 225, Trinco 6831 ------Vavuniya houses - 260,000 persons–in schools and relief villages divided into various zones. Shelter for these people is in the form of semi permanent structure in zone 0 and zone 1, and the rest seek refuge in tents, a small space shared by 1-2 families. The tents, meant to last 3-6 months are in a state of decay, need to be upgraded and people off loaded before the monsoon sets in the next few months.
Continuing from our efforts to support the needs of the IDPs the Relief and Rehabilitation Unit will continue to extend support to the Displaced in the Return and Resettlement phase in the north in the coming months.
We will:

• Work towards a better tomorrow for tens of thousands of citizens on the threshold of return who have shown enormous patience, fortitude and resilience.
•  Ensure that these people have a means to return home, prior to the break of the monsoons or as early as they possibly can.
• Centre stage their lives, ensure well-being and dignity of Sri Lankans through financial aid for repair, construction of shelters, sanitation facilities and a means to a sustainable livelihood, enabling recovery of property and possessions lost to them upon their displacement.

Goal

Support 10 Villages each in the 3 districts of  Jaffna , Killinochchi and Mullaitivu  and hope to target approximately 75,000 persons, Prioritizing at all times their need to be consulted, given a choice, be treated with dignity and be active participants in the decisions that concern them.

Believing in holistic support to empower the IDPs to enable their lives to return to normalcy soon, we hope to undertake the following:

Return Family Non Food Relief Kit (NFRI)

As a support to the return and wellbeing of the family we will provide a basic return NFRI pack for children and Adults, based on the UNHCR recommended standard. Children’s items will include personal hygiene items as well as story & exercise books and colors pencils. The Adult pack will include personal hygiene items as well as clothes, kitchen equipment, and bedding. The approximate cost per family pack is US$ 130/- for a family of four. The children pack is not included in this cost.

New Houses / shelters

Those eagerly awaiting their return to places of habitual residence require contributions to rebuilt new homes beyond repair .Believing in not just providing a house but a home CHA hopes to  provide assistance to a family of Rs. 60,000- 70,000 or an equivalent in building materials towards a home custom designed by Sri Lankan architects.  These families will require to contribute their own funds towards these house as well.


Renovation of existing damaged Houses

Theses families will go back to walls minus roofs, shattered windows, hollow spaces they once called home.  We hope to provide theses family Rs. 50,000 or equivalent of building materials to repair the damaged house and bring back a semblance of what they once had


Toilets

In accordance with Sri Lanka Standard No 745 we wish to support the provision of toilets at a cost of  Rs 45,000.We will also provide assistance to repair their existing damaged toilets. The toilets will be designed and built by Sri Lankan companies

Livelihood

Facilitate sustainable return and reintegration and a means of survival though income generation, allowing for an adequate standard of living. We hope to provide Rs. 20,000-30,000 worth of tools and equipment necessary to resume their livelihood activities. We also wish to improve their knowledge and skills in their trade or vocation through training programs with NAITA