More than half the number of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) resettled in Jaffna peninsula have not been paid the first stage payment of 5,000 rupees yet, according to information which came to light in a conference held by Jaffna Government Agent (GA) in Jaffna Secretariat Tuesday. Only 44% of the total 71,186 persons of 23,882 families resettled IDPs have been paid 5,000 rupees as initial payment in the first stage. Two thirds of the IDPs in Jaffna camps had been taken over by their relatives in Jaffna peninsula, the GA said. Meanwhile, IDP Welfare organizations in Jaffna complain that the relief food items supplied by UNCHR are of poor quality.
GA also said that 1,264 of the 2,956 IDPs held in Kodikaamam Raamaavil and Kaithadi camps are to be handed over to their relatives Wednesday.
Though these IDPs are originally from Mullaiththeevu and Ki’linochchi districts in Vanni they are not permitted to resettle in their own places.
In response to a question the GA said that the first stage payment of 5,000 rupees will be paid to all the IDPs before the end of December and the final payment of 20,000 rupees in mid January.
Meanwhile, 1,764 persons of 383 IDP families settled in tsunami shelters in Kudaththanai and Ma’nattkaadu continue to suffer without basic facilities, NGO representatives in Jaffna said.
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