IASC Weekly (GVA): Humanitarian situation and transition planning in Sri Lanka
Geneva
Meeting Documents
1. Humanitarian situation and transition planning in Sri Lanka
Since the cessation of armed conflict in Sri Lanka in May 2009 there has been a substantive improvement in the lives of people in Sri Lanka affected from the earlier Tsunami, the armed conflict and more recently large scale flooding. There has been a planned rapid large scale resettlement program of Internally Displaced Persons. This has been matched with an ambitious housing program in all areas. A small residual group of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) remain in longer term welfare housing and a smaller group in transitional shelter, awaiting final return. However, Sri Lanka continues to be affected by small and medium scale natural disasters. These have also impacted returning IDPs and the scope of OCHA’s operations. The Sri Lanka HCT and the Government of Sri Lanka are currently undertaking the first phases of a Joint Needs Assessment (JNA) to create a baseline to target assistance from Government and ongoing relief and development activities. This will create a baseline for Government and development actors to continue in the recovery phase. In 2014, the OCHA Sri Lanka country office will downsize to a smaller Humanitarian Advisory Team (HAT) as the focus of preparedness for response will shift to the national level, with additional backstopping from the OCHA Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, based in Bangkok. Central to OCHA’s work stream on preparedness for response will be to ensure that key elements of the the Minimum Preparedness Package (MPP) is in place as part of the UNDAF Pillar IV planning for Sri Lanka.
Presenter
OCHA's Deputy Head of Office, Mark Prasopa-Plaizier, will report on recent OCHA missions to the North and East of Sri Lanka, progress of the JNA, and transition planning underway by OCHA, the HCT and UNCT.
2. AOB