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(provided by Norwegian People's Aid) IMMEDIATE ACTIONS AFTER WAVE On the day of the Tsunami, approx 90 per cent of HDU vehicles and drivers were allocated to casualty evacuation and immediate recovery of dead bodies. CURRENT DEPLOYMENTS There are two IDP areas in the region; Pallai and Mulitivo. Here, IDPs are accommodated in a total of 17 schools. Following requests made by the TRO in an NGO meeting on the 28th, Jenna has allocated the following assets to assist the Camp Co-ordination teams (made up from Assistant Government Agents and NGO members) Mulativo: 2 x Landcruisers, 1 x Water Bowser, 1 x Tractor Pallai: 1 x Truck, 1 x Landcruiser, 2 x Canters Kilinochchi: There are some, weak and distressed, people who were housed in schools in Kilinochchi, after leaving hospital. 20 deminers have been allocated to look after them to make sure there eating and sanitation stays on track. Ampura District (Batticola): 1 x Truck, 40 deminers and the Deputy Director have been allocated to assist in this area. NOTIFICATION OF RELATIVES ABROAD In support of the TRO, 3 x deminers and motorbikes have been allocated to tracking down people following requests from Tamil relatives abroad. DELIVERY OF AID Jenna raised no objections to storing and distributing food and equipment from the ASB compound. It is most likely that deliveries will be limited to the two centres at Pallai and Mullativo, which will ease matters for us. It will be delivered to the co- ordinating committees in these centres, who will then manage the detailed distribution. RECOVERY OF DEAD BODIES All known ‘surface-laid’ dead bodies have been recovered. There are stil some bodies believed to be under the ruins of houses. The recovery work is being carried out by LTT cadres. According to Jenna, they are using a Back-hoe where necessary. DESTRUCTION OF DEAD ANIMALS No request has been made for us to get involved in this work but, as no-one else seems to be doing it, we may do so. Jenna will find out as soon as >possible whether or not we should take on this task, after which we can start planning manpower, equipment and fuel (for burning) requirements. Jenna suggested that if we can get the Landcruisers sent up from Colombo, we could form teams to carry out this work. I would imagine a Front-end Loader would also come in useful, so we may look at hiring one here. SPECIFIC REQUESTS Jenna had a list of requirements for cooking equipment namely: Cooking Cauldron (Large - sufficient to cook rice for 50 people) x 50 Frying Pan (Large - aluminium) x 50 Plastic Basin (Large) x 100 Aluminium Basin (Large) x 50 We will check with ASB to make sure this is not being dealt with by another agency already. If not, or there are gaps between requirement and availability, we can add these items to our list. We may buy some items directly (albeit in small amounts) in Kilinochchi, with the balance coming from Colombo. MINE PROBLEM Jenna says that there are only two minefields where mines may have been washed out of, but both are in remote areas. One is in the Special-Security Zone in Marmonai, where no-one is allowed to go, and The other is a suspect area in Mullativo. It is not confirmed that this is actually a MF; the survey team carried out and initial recce recently and found 3 mines. It was planned for them to revisit the site and carry out a proper survey. In any event, it is in an unpopulated area. Prior to closedown, team 2 was working on the HDU-014A/B site at Khatikadu, so there may still be mines there. However, as I recall from my visit there, this is a large open area with very few mines. In short, mines are not affecting the current relief effort. PRESENT PLANS The clearance documents were sent down to the border at approx 0900hrs this morning. On that timescale, we can expect the trucks to arrive at approx. 1200-1300hrs. James will provide feedback on the Development Secretariat meeting, this morning, which Jenna believed was of little immediate interest to us. Ed and/or I will go to Pallai with Jenna, this morning, to assess the situation there. We will, most likely, meet with Tim Horner at 1400hrs today. At approx 1600hrs, we will go with Jenna to assess the situation in Mullativo. OTHER MATTERS - ACCOMMODATION The NPA house is still not finished; some electrical, a lot of plasterwork and a lot ofplumbing still needs to be done. It will take at least 2-3 weeks before it becomes inhabitable. We will stay with James for 1 or 2 nights more. It would be good if we could ask Abigail if we could use the MAG house after that.
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