19 August 2005

ActionAid read with dismay today’s report by the Sri Lankan Institute for Policy Studies and the World Bank (Listening to those who Lost). The report throws a spotlight on the increasing problem of homelessness and relocation of families displaced along the Sri Lankan coastline by December’s Tsunami.

In one of the most comprehensive studies undertaken into the issue of housing, homelessness and rebuilding, the report highlights three key problems faced by displaced people at the hands of the Sri Lankan Government.

• 8 out of 10 people have rejected the land offered by the Sri Lankan Government for re housing, nearly 70% saying they wanted to remain living near the sea, their traditional homelands
• communities surveyed said the Sri Lankan Government are not listening or consulting with them, and have instead told them where they must live
• many questioned for the survey said that they were unhappy about being relocated unless their demands for maintaining strong community ties and their livelihoods were met

Saroj Dash, policy spokesperson from ActionAid Sri Lanka said:

"We are becoming increasingly aware of the concerns of communities along the East and South coasts of Sri Lanka who are still unable to plan for their future. This report confirms that unless the government listens to the needs of local communities they will become victims of the Tsunami twice over – first made homeless by the wave, then by the imposition of unworkable solutions".

ActionAid are working with over 77,000 people along the affected coastline and in consultation with local people will be building over 1600 permanent homes over the next year.