Articles

STRATEGIES TO ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF THE VICTIMS OF MEERIYABEDDA LANDSLIDE AT HALDUMULLA IN BADULLA DISTRICT – 29/10/2014

Background:
A severe landslide occurred in Meeriyabedda area in Kotabathma Grama Niladhari division in Haldumulla Divisional Secretariat Division in Badulla District on 29th October 204 at around 7.30 am. The impact of landslide affected around 330 people of 57 families in Ampitikanda tea estate. Total number of buildings destroyed were 63 including Houses, Kovil, Community Center, Dairy collection Centers, Boutiques, Telecommunication Center, and 3 Estate bungalows. As of 30th October 2014 four dead bodies were recovered. The total number of missing persons is yet to be confirmed. Out of the total number of children who attend the school, 75 children were orphaned. As per the instructions given by the HE the President, The Minister of Disaster Management directed all Provincial and District Political Authorities, the Agencies under the Ministry of Disaster Management, District and Divisional Secretaries, Health Authorities, Tri-forces and Police to continue the Search and Rescue operations and post disaster recovery activities. Government provides the funeral expenses and undertakes the last rights of the deceased persons. All hospitals in the area conducting emergency medical services to minimize health impacts. The government has already provided required funds to meet the immediate emergency requirements.

As an emergency response, people in high risk areas are accommodated in two safe centers which were established at Koslanda Tamil School and Poonagala Tamil School. As of 30th October 2014 these two centers accommodate 522 & 317 people respectively. In responding to the early warnings issued by the National Building Research Organization, number of people are continue to evacuate from the high risk areas and therefore number of safe centers will be increased.

In the above context, strategy of the Ministry is to implement a short, medium and long term disaster risk reduction program. A “Hazard Resilient Village” concept is promoted for the survived community of Meeriyabedda.

1. Long Term Strategies
a) Hazard Resilient Village
Resilient Villages mainly focuses on construction of resilient houses under the technical assistance and supervision of National Building Research Organization (NBRO) for the affected families. The resilient village will include;
 300 hazard resilient houses with basic furniture and kitchen utensils
 Health Center
 Fully equipped community Center
 Religious Center
 Provide water and sanitation facilities
 Rain Gauges to improve community based early warning system

b). Programme for Orphaned children due to Meeriyabedda landslide
Provisioning of scholarships and developing a foster parent scheme in order to ensure the safety and better future of orphaned children under the supervision of government.
 School including a hostel for the orphaned children within the resilient village
 Scholarship scheme
 Foster Parent Scheme
 Psychosocial support and Trauma Counseling
 Playgrounds with equipment

c). Empowering livelihood options of displaced personnel
Provision of livelihood options for the displaced persons and their dependants. Implementation of the livelihood development programme linking the existing initiatives.

2. Medium Term strategies
Temporary relocation of landslides victims
Provision of suitable land for relocation of landslide victims of Meeriyabedda and provision of temporary shelters and all the required basic facilities. Additionally, provision of facilities and other requirements for the children to continue their education without further interruptions.
 Temporary shelters and all the required basic facilities
 Water and sanitation facilities
 Water bowser and water tanks
 Portable generators
 Safety equipments

3. Short Term strategies
Provision of basic requirements for the displaced communities by giving special attention to children, women and disable people for their safety.
 School uniforms, School bags, shoes and other personal belongings
 Books and any other materials required to support their education
 Personal belongings for women ( sanitary items etc)
 Wheel chairs, crutches, other disability friendly equipment  Towels, bed sheets, blankets, umbrellas, mosquito nets etc.
 Mattresses (Folding and Sleeping)
 Water purification kits
 Tarpaulin  Mobile toilets
 Water tanks and Water pumps
 Roofing sheets
 Ground penetration detectors which can be used for search & Rescue operation
 Emergency rechargeable lamps
 Raincoats, boots etc.

4. Implementation modalities
For further details please kindly contact the officials named below.
 Mrs. Wasantha Samaraweera, Additional Secretary(Development) Ministry of Disaster Management-071-5567076, 011 2665994 www.disastermin.gov.lk
 Mr. K. Prasanna Chandith, Director, National Disaster relief Services Centre-0112665123, 077-3641563 www.ndrsc.gov.lk
 Mr. Rifa Wadood, Assistant director, National Disaster Relief Services Centre,- 0718127263, 011 2665221
 Mr. K.H.M. Sanjaya, Assistant Secretary, Ministry of Disaster Management -011 2665352, 077 9371368 www.disastermin.gov.lk
 Mr. Indika Pushpakumara Assistant Director, Disaster Management Centre -0772130754 www.dmc.gov.lk