1. Narrative Report 2. Statistical Report - Table of Contents - a. Statistical Summary b. List of Welfare Centres c. Demographic Profile d. Durable Solution e. Information on Place of Displacement f. Information on Place of Origin g. Maps 3. Annex I – Comparison of 2004 and <strong>2006</strong> Survey Results
1. Background FINAL <strong>REPORT</strong> ON THE <strong>2006</strong> REVALIDATION OF THE PUTTALAM WELFARE CENTRE SURVEY DRAFT – Not for Circulation The <strong>2006</strong> Revalidation of the 2004 Puttalam Welfare Centre (WC) Survey is part of a broader initiative by <strong>UNHCR</strong> in collaboration with the Ministry of Resettlement and the Ministry of Nation Building and Development (formerly the Ministry of Relief, Rehabilitation and Reconciliation) aimed at finding durable solutions for persons who have been displaced due to the internal armed conflict. This broader initiative will take place in 2 phases as follows: (i) a revalidation of the information obtained in the 2004 survey of conflict IDPs living in Puttalam WCs, followed by (ii) a survey of conflict IDPs living in all other WCs nationally. The Ceasefire Agreement of 2002 brought an end to the hostilities and revitalized the hopes for a safe and dignified return for the displaced. As a result of these events, the Government of Sri Lanka, in collaboration with <strong>UNHCR</strong>, conducted an IDP census in 2002 to assist the Government and other actors in planning for the provision of legal, physical and material protection for internally displaced persons (IDPs). The census, which was conducted at the household level, gathered data on the number of IDPs, their places of origin, their present location, whether they wanted to return to their places of origin, remain and integrate in the area of displacement, or whether they preferred to relocate to another area. The census also explored the principal obstacles to return and identified the most vulnerable amongst the IDPs. While the 2002 survey included an analysis of the preferred solutions to displacement at that time, in 2004, the Ministry of Relief, Rehabilitation and Reconciliation (MRRR), supported by <strong>UNHCR</strong> and the World Bank, saw the need for up-to-date information on the remaining IDPs living in WCs. The Puttalam District was chosen to be the pilot district for the 2004 national survey due to the fact that the largest number of IDPs living in WCs are located in Puttalam. The survey was a joint exercise by the MRRR and the Government Agent in Puttalam, with the support of the Department of Census and Statistics, Branch Office in Puttalam. The World Bank provided financial assistance through its North East Housing Reconstruction Programme (NEHRP), while <strong>UNHCR</strong> and FORUT provided technical and administrative support to the survey. As a result of lack of political support and the tsunami of December 2004, information was obtained on Puttalam District WCs, but the proposed national survey was never completed. Since 2002, more than 407,000 IDPs have returned to their places of origin, and many have relocated to other areas. At present, it is estimated that approximately 68,000 persons (18,000 families) are living in WCs around Sri Lanka. The 2002 national census and the 2004 survey in Puttalam have not been updated and do not provide comprehensive information regarding preferred and achievable durable solutions. Accordingly, in order to facilitate finding solutions for the remaining displaced people still residing in WCs, the Ministry of Resettlement and the Ministry of Nation Building and Development, supported by <strong>UNHCR</strong> and the World Bank, saw the need for up-to-date information on the remaining IDPs. <strong>UNHCR</strong> again elected to use Puttalam District as the pilot, as it continues to house comparatively the highest number of IDPs in WCs (32,501 individuals living in 81 WCs) 1 . Moreover, the World 1 Please note that these figures are based on the February <strong>2006</strong> Statistical Summary prepared by the Ministry of Nation Building and Development and <strong>UNHCR</strong>. The statistics of the Ministry of Resettlement indicate that there are 135 WCs, resettlement villages and relocation villages located in Puttalam District. Final Report on the <strong>2006</strong> Revalidation of the 2004 Puttalam WC Survey April <strong>2006</strong> 1
Change language