Reconstruction Underway in Batticaloa Despite Problems With Coastal Sites

BANGKOK, 11th January 2005: Authorities in Sri Lanka are pushing for new and replacement homes to be built 300 meters from the shoreline. If followed through, it could mean delays in rehousing many families, including Habitat home owners, whose houses were destroyed or damaged in the Indian Ocean tsunamis.

The call for replacement dwellings to be re-sited is because many communities are fearful of returning to live close to the sea, and there are concerns about the stability of sea-soaked land.

Habitat photojournalist Mikel Flamm reporting from Sri Lanka said, "In some cases the foundations of buildings were uprooted to the point that they cannot be built on again even if one wanted to.” It remains unclear how the authorities would designate boundary lines or how land plots would be made available, since many areas situated away from the coast are already owned.

Despite the problems, Habitat's Batticaloa affiliate is pressing ahead with plans to build the first 50 homes on donated and affiliate-owned land further inland. Family selection is already underway, with 39 families signing up on the first day alone. Priority will be given to Habitat homeowners whose homes were destroyed or severely damaged, non-Habitat families who lost a husband or wife, and those who lived within 300 meters of the shore and whose homes were completely destroyed.

A three-acre plot of land donated to the Batticaloa affiliate by a local businessman, Dr. Nalayini Yogananthan, is three kilometers from the city. Dr. Yogananthan has supplied roofing materials and timber for Habitat houses for more than three years. HFH Batticaloa coordinator Justice Gregory, maintains that the site is a safe distance from the sea. Justice Gregory said, "Once we have a survey completed and receive government approval, we can expect to begin construction."

The Habitat target is for the first phase of the construction to begin before the end of January. This will be for 50 transitional "core" homes, each comprising of one room, a verandah and toilet facilities.The affiliate has building materials available to complete 25 houses. The local building center is producing up to 600 concrete bricks a day.

It is estimated that over 3,000 families lost everything in the waterfront community next to the lagoon.

You can help the efforts of the Habitat for Humanity Disaster Response Office by a donation to the Asia Tsunami Response Fund.