Disaster Management

Water/Sanitation

January 10, 2005

 

Phace I             Report on immediate measures taken to improve sanitation/ Water well  purification in effected areas (Target Area – Tangalle AGA Division)

 

  1. General Arrangements

 

    1. On 3rd January 2005 the logistics for the operation were arranged and left Colombo by 1700 hrs. The convoy of two crane trucks and three vans carrying 22 volunteers and material reached Tangalle by 0400 Hrs 04th January due to very poor road conditions.

 

    1. The material were unloaded and staff was accommodated at Carlton House, Tangalle (we thank the Prime Minister for his generosity in providing his residence for our work).

    1. We had several discussions with the GA Hambantota, AGA Tangalle, Prime Minister’s Coordinator, Military Officials and The Chairman Tangelle Divisional Council to assess the situation and formulated the work plan.

 

    1. Situation

                                                               i.      The displaced persons are located in seven camps in tangalle.

                                                             ii.      Apart from above a lot of people are residing with their relatives in houses which are not affected.

                                                            iii.      The existing camps are sited in schools and temples. A decision has been made by the Government to re locate all these camps in Government lands immediately to facilitate schools to be reopened and for better control.

                                                           iv.      At the time certain lands are earmarked but no final decision.

                                                             v.      There were more than 200 private wells affected by Tsunami.

                                                           vi.      Government has taken a decision to re locate all residences 300m away from coast line and most of these wells are located within that Zone.

                                                          vii.      Drinking water is provided through bowsers but requirement exist for cloth washing, cleaning of effected houses and sanitation.

 

    1. Work plan. Following work plan was mooted in consideration of above.

                                                               i.      To clean common wells and private wells out side the 300m Demarcation Area.

                                                             ii.      Authorities requested to erect 20 Nos barrel type temporary toilets in Kudawella Beach Area to prevent soiling of beach by people in nearby camps and fishermen guarding their damaged boats in the fishery harbour.

                                                            iii.      Authorities requested to erect one permanent toilet set in Netolpitiya Play ground and hand over the balance toilet sets to Pradesheeya Saba members for subsequent erecting at the permanent locations.

 

  1. Work

 

    1. A total of 28 wells disinfected and cleaned in area. Following observed.

                                                               i.      Lot of debris/ decomposed matter inside wells. Therefore disinfected with high dose of chlorine and pumped out prior manually removing the debris.

                                                             ii.      Water table is increased by two to four feet and a very high yield observed. Even after three times of emptying the well the water indicates a certain amount of hardness.

 

    1. 10 Nos Temporary toilets erected in kudawella beach. Items for 10 more temporary toilets were handed over to local Authority.

Skeleton of Temporary toilet ( set of three) Kudawella

The completed toilet set (sorry we completed it by late evening)

 

    1. A set of six permanent toilets erected at Netolpitiya Play grounds and two local masons trained. Sketch of toilet set attatched.

 

    1. Items for two sets of toilets handed over to Pradesheeya Saba. Once the locations finalized a technical officer from Neat Solutions will be send for construction with aid of locals.
    2. Whilst attending to work at Kudawella A lorry belonging to a fish vendor was fished out from the fishery harbour utilizing our expert volunteers with the aid of crane truck available.

 

 

 

  1. Budget.

 

    1. The total cost of operation will be around Rs 225,000.00 (a detailed account will be submitted once all obligations are met) due following reasons.
    2. Generators were not purchased but hired.
    3. Only one pump was purchased. Balance hired.
    4. The barrels were gifted from well wishers.
    5. Bulk of bleaching powder was supplied by MOH Tangalle.
    6. Crane trucks were supplied by Harsha & Hashan Enterprises and expenses incurred only for fuel.