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Relief delayed is relief denied- 3 months after the disaster
Three months after torrential rains caused devastating floods and landslides, many victims still await compensation for damages. Authorities are faced with the challenge of identifying suitable lands to settle thousands of displaced families who have either lost their homes to the disaster or, have to be relocated from designated ‘danger zones.’
A house destroyed in a landslide in the Ratnapura District. Pic by Indika Handuwala
The Disaster Management Ministry (DMM) says some 85,000 families were affected by the disaster. with about 3,500 houses classified as “fully damaged”. “We are now in the process of awarding compensation for damaged or destroyed houses, with the initial compensation payment of Rs 10,000 already awarded to most of the owners of damaged houses,” stressed, DMM Secretary S.S. Miyanwala to the Sunday Times. Damage assessments in most affected districts have been completed and forwarded to the Ministry. Compensation payments are being made through the National Insurance Trust Fund (NITF).
Meanwhile, the Govt is still hopeful of a successful international donor conference to solicit funds for rebuilding. Mr Miyanwala claimed that proposals in this regard have been sent to the Finance Ministry and hoped it would be organised.
The NITF has to date received about 80,000 claims for uninsured houses damaged in the disaster. Some 25,000 of the claims relate to total or partial damage, while the rest are regarding minor damage. About 60,000 claims have come directly through District Secretariats. “We have so far keyed in about 50,000 claims into our system, with only 6,000 of them processed so far,” said NITF CEO Sanath C. De Silva. However, Mr De Silva stressed the damage estimates were received just over two weeks ago, and a group of NITF staff have now been assigned to process the claims quickly. “About 40 persons are working seven days a week on this, and we hope to finalize all claims within two months,” the CEO insisted.
Over 1,200 claims from Small & Medium-Sized Enterprises (SME) affected by the disaster have also been received.
The NITF estimates that total compensation for affected houses and SMEs would be over Rs.1.6 billion.
The agency has to date released Rs 910 million for disaster relief, with Rs 125 million released immediately, and Rs. 785 million for the Rs 10,000 advance payment for damaged houses.
Ratnapura, Kalutara, Galle and Matara Districts were the worst affected by the disaster. Floods and landslides in these districts claimed a heavy toll, both in terms of lives lost and property destroyed.
A total of 1,588 families in the Ratnapura district will have to be relocated, disclosed District Secretary Malani Lokupothagama. “We have identified 149 acres of land for this purpose and the National Building Research Organization (NBRO) has certified them as being safe for settlement,” she said. Ms Lokupothagama said that, “As 262 acres were needed to settle all the families and provide necessary infrastructure such as roads, measures have been taken to acquire lands from plantation companies in the district for this purpose.”
“Construction of 25 houses for those who lost their homes will commence in Eheliyagoda on September 9,” the official further stated. The houses are being built by a Telecommunication company on land provided by the State.
“Cabinet had detailed several methods regarding the construction of houses for disaster victims,” Ms Lokupothagama explained. Accordingly, if victims agree to find suitable land by themselves and build their houses, they are given Rs 400,000 to purchase the land and Rs 1.2 million provided in four installments to build their house. Even if victims have land to build a house, they are still given Rs 400,000 as value for the land, and Rs.1.2 million in installments for construction. If the victims wish to purchase an already built house along with the land, they are given the full Rs.1.6 million. Finally, if the victims are unable to find lands for themselves, the Govt will provide the land plus Rs. 1.2 million for construction.
According to the District Secretary, 236 families in 10 Divisional Secretariat Divisions have to date agreed to find land by themselves for their houses.
Ms Lokupothagama noted it was especially difficult for officials to find alternate lands to settle people in the district, given its mountainous terrain and danger of landslides. “The NBRO has strict guidelines regarding landslide safety,” she observed. Ms Lokupothagama said a plan to distribute 110 plots of land in the Elapatha area among the affected, was recently abandoned following an NBRO ruling it was unsafe due to the possibility of landslides. “This is our biggest problem right now; finding safe, alternate lands for resettlement.”
The bridge at Morawaka in Ratnapura
Despite these difficulties, officials are hoping to start distributing most of the lands needed for disaster victims by August 31, while a December target has been set for the completion of at least the first batch of houses.
In the Kalutara district, 90% of valuation of property damage is now complete, with all valuation reports to the Govt by August 31, District Secretary U.D.C. Jayalal, told the Sunday Times. He said the Govt was hoping to provide 1,000 plots of land for the affected in the district. Even here, as elsewhere, the threat of landslides means all lands must be certified as safe by the NBRO, which takes time.
Of the 9,373 disaster affected families in the Galle district, about 98% or, 9,153 families, have been provided with the Rs 10,000 advance payment for damage to houses. “While there are legal issues, such as questions of ownership surrounding the remaining 233,” said District Secretary S.T. Kodikara.
On completion of valuation assessments, it has been found that 6,363 houses in the district have sustained damage in excess of Rs 10,000. “Compensation for 2,804 of the households have been completed and the process is ongoing.”
According to Mr Kodikara, 350 families in the district have lost their homes, with the Govt providing Rs 7,500 per month for three months, for each family. This is to enable them live on rent. “We have already paid the full amount (Rs 7,500 x 3) to 346 of these families, for them to stay on rent. Again, there are legal issues surrounding the other four families.” Mr Kodikara said. He had requested the Govt to extend the Rs 7,500 monthly rent further than the three months initially allocated.
He further said that 476 families in the district have to be relocated. “We need to find lands for 204 of them, as they have told us they neither own any land nor are in a position to search for it.”
“The disaster not only damaged/destroyed houses, but also damaged/destroyed 694 SMEs, along with their 1313 stocks in trade,” the DS observed. Mr Kodikara said the Govt was providing compensation up to Rs 10 million for affected SMEs, while damage assessments to stocks have also been completed, while the NITF will make the related payments.
Total damage to houses, property, SMEs and stocks in trade in the Galle district alone is estimated at about Rs 730 million.
Matara District Secretary Pradeep Rathnayaka said 29,000 valuation reports have been sent, while 300 compensation claims have been settled to date. He added that, 260 affected families need alternate lands with 40 plots of land due to be handed over soon.