Tsunami refugees living in misery
By Swarne Nettikumara
It is a matter of serious concern that a large population in 815 tsunami stricken families are living in utter misery in 16 refugee camps at Sainthamaruthu in Batticaloa. Many of them have lost at least one member of their family and their property in the disaster. A.L.Mohamed Abubakar (67) was a paddy cultivator by profession who lost his mother and three children in the disaster. His house was destroyed by the tsunami waves. He said he is yet to recover from the trauma of the tragedy that befell his family.
“About 30 families have been living in the Malharuson school refugee camp for the last four years. Every room in the refugee camp is shared by four families regardless of privacy. The intense heat in the houses is unbearable. We received Rs.5000 for the first four months and now we receive only dry rations. The two toilets in the refugee camp are in a dilapidated condition. However we are compelled to use them. We have been suffering in the refugee camps for the last four years without any attention by the authorities” Abubakar said.
A Nadeeja Umma (56) accused the government of neglecting the basic needs of the tsunami stricken people. “Only two garden taps are available for 30 families in the camp. Long queues are experienced at the garden taps in the morning and in the evening. Very often the water supply breaks down for days compelling us to fetch water from the Mosque. The government failed to provide us any relief for more than one year. We still live in huts erected by the IOM, a Non-governmental Organization. The houses go under water during the rains.” She said
The breadwinner of a displaced family, Abubakar Abdul Kapoor (40) said people from three tsunami hit Grama Niladari areas live in the camp and that they are subjected to serious discrimination. “I am a fisherman by profession. I lived in the Sainthamaruthu Grama Niladari division with my family of eight children. Two of them died in the tsunami disaster. The refugee camp is in the Grama Niladari division No 17. This has created administrative problems for the refugees who are not considered residents of either Grama Niladari area. We have been suffering in the refugee camp for the last four years without the minimum facilities. My children are taken ill quite often for want of sanitary facilities and health care”
About 20 families live in another refugee camp near Sainthamaruthu mosque. One of the refugees in the camp U.L.Usaima said the refugees are having a harrowing experience for want of basic facilities.
“Every room is shared by two families that cook eat and sleep together. The small children ease themselves in the room. The congestion in the room is a serious threat to our health. The authorities are not concerned about our misery.”
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