Emergency Relief to Tsunami
Displaced Persons in Batticaloa
 Funded
by: Municipality of Vitoria-Gasteiz; Euro 72,000
Locations:
Summary
The Tsunamis of 26 Dec brought massive destruction to the
city of Batticaloa, destroying the basic infrastructure serving
its poorer communities as well as Municipality support systems.
Basic roads, water supply systems, health clinics and administrative
offices of the Municipality has been virtually washed away
rendering it helpless in the face of the daunting tasks of
assisting the affected people. 1594 houses within the Municipal
area have been completely destroyed with another 2955 houses
badly damaged. The worst affected are the settlements occupied
by the poorest and the most vulnerable groups in the city.
Majority of the people living in these areas have been obtaining
water from shallow wells, which have been contaminated with
sea water. The water distribution system through the bowsers
also has been affected with off-take wells requiring major
repairs and pumps.
Under the UN-HABITAT/UNDP Urban Governance
Support Programme (UGSP), immediate assistance was provided
to clear debris, repair essential services and open up access
to the affected settlements. The proposed project is to alleviate
some of the pressing needs and to commence a process of rebuilding
the devastated communities.
Progress
The project was completed successfully.
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