Ferocity of Tsunami in the North of Sri Lanka
A situation Report

From: HUDEC - Caritas Jaffna 29^th December 2004

Jaffna and Mullaitivu Districts in the North of Sri Lanka experienced the ferocity of the Isunami tidal waves on 26^th Dec 2004 which devastated many parts of Sri Lanka.

Vadamaratchchi East and Vadamaratchi North in the Jaffna District and Mullaitivu  town and the neighbouring coastal VILLAGES IN THE Mullaitivu district were the worst victims of this Tsunami massacre.

Jaffna District : - According to the available data, which keep on changing, about 57,689 persons belonging to 14,186 families are accommodated in 39 welfare centre and about 20,459 persons belong to 6,064 families have found shelter with friends or relatives. 640 persons are dead about 2,000 people are missing and 530 people are wounded. According to the information reaching us these numbers are on the increase. The total number of persons displaced seemed to have crossed 110,000.

Mullaitivu District :- The leading coastal town, Mullaitivu has been totally ravaged. About 22,000 persons belonging to 3,650 families are accommodated in the welfare centres about 25 neighbouring villages are utterly devastated.

Mullaitive town which was ravaged by war has been raising its head during these “peaceful” years. Once again it is razed to the ground. All the buildings near the coast and its hinterland from about 1,000 to 1,500 meters have been destroyed.

About 983 persons are dead, 2750 persons are missing and 688 are wounded. However, the numbers are on the increase. Drinking water sources have been highly contaminated and people are threatened with outbreak of epidemics.

Urgent Needs

• Temporary shelter
• Sanitation and heath care
• Nutritious food  for children
• Women’s undergarments, sarong, clothes
• Mats, pillows, bed sheets
• Pure Drinking water facility

Further detailed informations will be sent soon.

Fr.C.G.Jeyakumar
Director
HUDEC - Caritas Jaffna