IWMI’s immediate response to the Tsunami that devastated a large area of the Sri Lankan coastline included six emergency supply missions followed by a CGIAR system-wide appeal to raise funds to support the rehabilitation and recovery process. (http://www.iwmi.cgiar.org/tsunami/) In addition to its own initiatives, IWMI is collaborating with CGIAR partners and other local and international organizations to support the long-term rehabilitation process. The ‘IWMI-Tsunami Relief Group’ was formed to facilitate coordination and ensure fast and meaningful responses. They could be contacted at iwmi-tsunami-relief@cgiar.org

Testing wells for excessive salt after the tsunami, in Kalmunai on the East coast of Sri Lanka

Needs Assessment in the coastal regions of the Ruhuna Benchmark Basin, Sri Lanka
Moving on from the relief phase, one of IWMI’s first actions has been the livelihoods focused rapid needs assessment in the worst hit areas of Hambantota district in the south of Sri Lanka. Focus Group Discussions and data collection activities for this assessment were completed in mid February, and the report is currently being finalized. It is expected to be circulated amongst decision makers and contribute to the Master Plan for the Reconstruction and Recovery of Hambantota.

The mapping of Tsunami-affected Boundary Line (TABL) for the Hambantota district - where areas below 6m elevation
appear to be critically affected, has now been completed. This exercise was also continued in the Galle and Matara districts. The TABL information collection for the three districts of Hambantota, Matara and Galle is considered to be unique, and efforts will be made to link up with the Urban Development Authority of Sri Lanka to ensure better utilization of the data. For further information on the Tsunami affected Boundary Line (TABL), contact Neelanga Weragala:n.weragala@cgiar.org or M.G.S.D. Nilantha: n.gamage@cgiar.org

For more information on the Rapid Needs Assessment in the coastal regions of the Ruhuna Benchmark Basin, contact Sarath Abayawardana (s.abayawardana@cgiar.org)

Preliminary assessments in the east coast of Sri Lanka
A well monitoring and ground water study is underway with assistance from Care International. Field teams have been formed and trained, and are now deployed in the district. IWMI is collaborating with the Water Resources Board and the Eastern University of Sri Lanka in this study - led by Karen Villholth and Priyanie Amerasinghe. The first three-month phase is aimed at obtaining a clear understanding of the well cleaning and monitoring operation in relation to the status of the aquifer. The team will also develop and deliver technical advice to the operators on the ground. This will also help determine whether there are longer term effects and the need for longer-term studies.

Information Management in Batticaloa
Nine sector-specific task forces, (Shelter, Livelihoods, Water and Sanitation, Health, Food, Infrastructure, Education, Welfare, Protection & Psychosocial) are now operational in Batticaloa in the east of Sri Lanka. These task forces are chaired by a government agency with an INGO acting as the coordinator/secretary.

In order to derive the best benefits from the assistance provided to the region, improved coordination and information management has been identified as a major need. A proactive information gathering, management and dissemination system supporting the District Secretary, INGOs and other International Organizations is therefore considered by many to be a useful tool in the coordination of future relief and rehabilitation activities. In this regard, IWMI will be assisting the ZOA information facility by providing technical expertise and the services of an intern.

Potential IWMI interventions
IWMI researchers are looking at how research recommendations could influence decision-making in both short-term relief and longer-term rehabilitation efforts, particularly in the water and sanitation sector. A number of initiatives are being pursued with other collaborators including INGOs/UN bodies—IDE, MercyCorp, and United Nations University-EHI.

Wetland and Coastal Ecosystems
A concept note is currently being prepared by a team of IWMI researchers on the impact of the tsunami on wetlands and coastal ecosystems, particularly as the environment appears to be a neglected field compared to the efforts to restore affected people’s livelihoods and meet their immediate needs.

Other CG Centre initiatives in Sri Lanka
IRRI visits Sri Lanka
Joe Rickman and Mark Bell of IRRI visited Tsunami-affected areas in Sri Lanka in early February to carry out a local needs assessment. The knowledge gained through their visit to the affected areas together with information already gathered from Hambantota are summarized in an IRRI report (Download pdf file 499kb) on the effects of the tsunami on agricultural lands. The initial view is that there is no major impact on agricultural land and that rehabilitation will take place with simple flushing activity. The Department of Agriculture is developing procedures, raising awareness of farmers on the procedures, and coordinating with the Irrigation Department on effecting flushing events.

IPGRI to work with IWMI in Dodanduwa
IPGRI has been working with the people of Dodanduwa in the south of Sri Lanka for several years on a poverty reduction project that helped expand the micro credit capital in the village. Project partners included the Siyath Foundation and the Sri Lanka Coconut Research Institute. Pons Batugal of IPGRI visited Sri Lanka and Dodanduwa as planned on Feb 16-18, supported by the Coconut Research Institute and IWMI. IPGRI has now prepared a proposal to further support Dodanduwa communities using the relief funds generated within IPGRI. IWMI will continue to support this exercise with assistance in the form of technical expertise.
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Local relief/rehabilitation work in Sri Lanka is being coordinated by IWMI (Sarath Abayawardana, s.abayawardana@cgiar.org, head of the IWMI Sri Lanka Programme) and work in Aceh is coordinated by ICRAF (Meine van Noordwijk, m.van-noordwijk@cgiar.org, regional coordinator of ICRAF in Southeast Asia).