VISION
All citizens should enjoy equal rights within the rule of law, social justice, the restoration of democracy, and sustainable development in their homeland.

GOAL
To improve and develop the lives and well-being of refugee returnees from India and internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the North and East of Sri Lanka.

MISSION
OfERR (Ceylon) considers capacity building and empowerment as key elements in achieving its vision of sustainable development, equal rights and social justice. The organisation aims to:

OfERR (Ceylon) considers capacity building and empowerment as key elements in achieving its vision of sustainable development, equal rights and social justice. The organisation aims to: OfERR (Ceylon) considers capacity building and empowerment as key elements in achieving its vision of sustainable development, equal rights and social justice. The organisation aims to:

• Engage and empower returnees and IDPs as active participants in their own development and the improvement of their living conditions.
• Promote equal educational opportunities and enhance the ability of returnees and IDPs to take part in rebuilding their nation.
• Mobilise, liaise and network with NGOs, inter-governmental agencies and the Sri Lankan government to advocate the protection and the rights of IDPs and returnees.
• Improve the health and nutritional status of the most vulnerable returnees and IDPs and motivate them to be actively involved in all forms of development activity.
• Create greater employment and income opportunities for men and women by enhancing their skills and improving infrastructure.

Relief and Developmental Activities - Emergency Assistance
• Providing basic food and non-food items for IDPs and returnees
• Providing shelter, water and sanitation facilities
• Addressing the immediate safety and security needs of the people
• Providing psychosocial activities and treatment
• Promoting public health awareness in IDP camps
• Assisting children and young people in continuing their education
• Working through government structures, aiming to avoid bureaucratic delays in delivering relief

Rehabilitation – Advocacy Work
• Working with the Sri Lankan government on key issues such as documentation, recognition of educational qualifications (especially for returnees), recognition of citizenship (for both returnees and IDPs), and land allocation for landless people
• Lobbying for the extension of medical services to neglected areas
• Co-ordinating with NGOs in Mannar, Vavuniya, Batticaloa and Trincomalee, especially on the issues of rights and peace building
• Advocating a permanent political solution

Education
• Improving the infrastructure of educational institutions affected by war and the Tsunami
• Conducting coaching classes for school students and catch-up classes for those returning to education
• Vocational training for students who stop attending school
• Creating student forums in IDP camps
• Nursery schooling for young children

Health and Nutrition
• Increasing people’s knowledge of health care and nutrition
• Conducting medical clinics in areas where access to medical services is poor
• Identifying and training health workers at village level
• Promoting family planning, HIV/AIDs awareness, and communicable disease prevention

Capacity building, Empowerment, and Sustainable Development
• Creating community-based organisations such as self-help groups, student and youth forums
• Training programmes developing a variety of skills including communication, leadership, business management and health care, thus strengthening the ability of local people to be actors in improving their lives
• Assisting returnees and IDPs in finding new and sustainable livelihoods
• Forging links between affected people and local companies
• Long-term housing programme and support for people attempting to re-settle in their home areas
• Improving damaged buildings and infrastructure such as schools, hospitals, roads, and other public places
• Encouraging and sustaining dialogue among majority and minority communities
• Promoting the values of democracy, peace building and participatory development at a local level

Background
Protracted conflict and vulnerability to natural disasters has caused the continual displacement of people in Northeast Sri Lanka over several decades. Many have fled the country, while hundreds of thousands remain, rendered homeless in their own land. Those unable to find shelter with relatives or friends are forced to seek refuge elsewhere. Many arrive in IDP camps, which offer some level of protection. However, conditions are uncomfortable, resources are limited and the total dependence on aid is disempowering. Other families settle in open spaces, living in squalid conditions with little access to clean water or sanitation facilities. Some IDPs in the Northeast have been away from their homes for over 20 years, with resettlement still not in sight.

OfERR in Sri Lanka
A review in 2003 highlighted the needs of IDPs and returning refugees in Sri Lanka. Following the ceasefire agreement in 2002, many refugees who had lived in India for over two decades returned home. Arriving in their villages, they discovered a land of devastated houses, destroyed crops and farmland filled with trees and weeds. It was impossible to resettle here, and there was an urgent need for relief and support in rebuilding these people’s lives.

After 20 years of working in India, OfERR (Ceylon) decided to work in Sri Lanka, initially with returning refugees. In April 2004, OfERR (Ceylon) began supporting IDPs in Sri Lanka following a series of systematic studies on these internally displaced people. The main areas of work were IDP camps or Open Relief Centres located in Vavuniya, Mannar and Trincomalee districts. These camps include many people who returned from India but were unable to go to their villages due continuing fighting, landmines and other conflict-related problems.

OfERR (Ceylon) has assisted these returnees and IDPs in various ways, helping with restoration and development of livelihoods, community building and improvement of domestic infrastructure. Women and children have been given special attention, with the establishment of self-help groups, student clubs, and other community initiatives. These programmes support OfERR’s commitment to building the strength and capacities of the affected people.

Following the devastating Tsunami in December 2004, OfERR (Ceylon) expanded its services to reach the worst affected areas in Trincomalee and Batticaloa districts. The head office of OfERR (Ceylon) is in Colombo. The organisation has four regional offices, based in Mannar, Vavuniya, Trincomalee and Batticaloa.

OfERR CEYLON NARRATIVE REPORT 2008

APPRECIATION LETTER FROM MINISTRY OF PUBLIC SECRETARY, LAW AND ORDER