By D.B.S. Jeyaraj
In the Honduras after a hurricane it was "operation Central"; In Turkey after an
earthquake it was "operation Torrent". In Sri Lanka after the Tsunami
destruction it is "operation Structure"! Canada has launched Operation
Structure in the Eastern Province district of Amparai also known as Digamadulla
to supplement the relief and rehabilitation efforts underway.
A special unit of the Canadian forces known as DART (Disaster Assistance
Response Team) currently deployed in Amparai district has commenced a
series of relief projects codenamed "operation Structure". The highly skilled
and well - trained DART personnel comprising 206 persons drawn from various
land units of the Canadian forces have already swung into action.
After setting up headquarters at the old sugar factory in Hingurana the DART
has begun operations in the ravaged coastal areas of the district. Among pilot
projects were Two aid stations providing medical services were set up at
Kalmunai. Another was established at Akkaraipattru. A fourth is being set up in
Lahugala. Two other projects aimed at providing purified drinking water were
underway at Pottuvil and Pandiruppu.
DART personnel have also identified areas for possible projects in the clearing
of debris, repairing bridges, causeways, culverts and minor roads, providing
further safe drinking water, restoring limited electrical supply and setting up
mobile medical clinics. According to a former DART commanding officer Lt. Col
Christian Juneau the DART does not compete with existing services but only
complements them.A DART engineering unit in association with a Sri Lankan
sapper regiment is currently trying to repair the Pottuvil - Arugam bay bridge
The decision to consider sending the DART to Sri Lanka was made after a
telephone conversation between Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin and Sri
Lankan President Chandrika Kumaratunga in December. A fact finding team
was sent to the Tsunami afflicted region to assess the situation.
Though four Countries were extensively affected by tsunami political
considerations played a big part in the selection of Sri Lanka for DART.
Indonesia was the most deserving in terms of destruction but the political
situation was volatile with the Indonesian Government frowning on international
involvement in the tsunami ravaged Aceh Province. Thailand was the USA's
favourite. India did not want international aid. Sri Lanka had declared a national
disaster and openly invited international aid.
Apart from this Canada was home to nearly 300, 000 people of Sri Lankan
origin. Most of these persons were from tsunami afflicted regions of Sri Lanka in
the North, East and South. Though Canada had a large number of people of
Indian origin most of them were from North , Central and West India. Indians
from the tsunami hit states of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Ppradesh ,
Pondichery and the Andaman - Nicobar Islands were not as numerous as Sri
Lankan Canadians. There were only a few thousand Thais or Indonesians in
Canada.
Though a conflict existed between Sinhala and Tamil communities in Sri Lanka
a ceasefire was in progress. Besides Canada has a working record of providing
assistance to worthwhile projects in the Country including tiger rebel controlled
territory. Relations with Sri Lanka being good and the presence of a vibrant
Diaspora in Canada swayed Ottawa in favour of deploying DART here.
On Dec 30th an inter - departmental reconnaissance team of 17 persons left
Canada for Sri Lanka. It comprised eleven members of the security forces
including DART members, three foreign ministry officials, two Canadian
International Development Agency (CIDA) officials and one from the public
health agency. It returned home on Jan 2nd after conducting a survey with the
aid of Canadian officials in Colombo.
Prime Minister Martin announced deployment of DART to Sri Lanka on Jan 2nd.
On Jan 3rd National Defence Minister Bill Graham announced that DART will be
stationed in Amparai district.DART Personnel stationed at the Kingston base
began swinging into action. An advance party of 21 left on Jan 4th and 5th by
commercial flight. Five Antonov 124 planes were chartered to carry vehicles,
equipment and machinery. Their flights were from the Trenton military airbase.
Personnel left by two Canadian Forces CC -150 Polaris aircraft. 137 left the
6th and 33 on the 9th. The last batch of 15 left on 12th and 13th.
The DART persons underwent training and de - briefing sessions in Colombo
for two days. They stayed at hotels sleeping in ball rooms converted as
dormitories. Moving to Amparai by air and road the DART persons began
operations from the 11th onwards. Sue Bailey of Canadian Press who
accompanied the convoy writes that they were welcomed all along the road with
cries like "hello Canada".
The selection of Amparai as area of operations was based on several criteria. it
was the district that has recorded the most amount of deaths numbering more
than 10, 400. It could be more if the missing are taken into account. Of the 600,
000 plus people in the district around 180, 000 were displaced. Much
infrastructure located along the coast was destroyed.
There was another factor too favouring Amparai. It was like Trincomalee a multi
- ethnic district. But Ottawa did not want to enter Trincomalee because of the
strategic military ramifications and related international tensions. Canada was
focused on humanitarian imvolvement and preferred the less complicated
Amparai. Interestingly DART is deployed only with the consent of local people. If
there are signs of widespread opposition or organized protest against
deployment DART will not be sent in or if already stationed rapidly withdrawn.
Amparai has a 41% Muslim, 40% Sinhala and 19% Tamil population. The bulk
of the Sinhala population is located in the hinterland. The bulk of Muslims and
Tamils are living in interspersed villages along the littoral. The coastal region of
Amparai consisting of the electoral divisions of Pottuvil, Sammanthurai and
Kalmunai have a population ratio 58% Muslim, 28% Tamil and 14% Sinhala.
Sinhala areas being virtually unaffected was a blessing because initially much
humanitarian help was given by them. In a bizarre turn of events the powers
that be who foster racist discrimination are sending much aid into Sinhala areas
now while Muslim and Tamil victims are yet to be catered fully.
At least one Canadian official was puzzled when this writer informed him of the
demographic nuances. The earlier understanding had been that the tsunami
had victimised the Amparai people in accordance with the overall population
ratio. Despite the unevenness of tsunami damage the Canadians too are
playing it safe by seemingly adopting an ethnic balance regardless of need
based imperatives. The US marines too are in Batticaloa and Amparai. Given
the large Muslim population it is indeed a refreshing change to see North
American soldiers being of constructive humanitarian service in "Islamic"
regions.
Thus medical aid is being provided to Kalmunai ( 75 % Muslim 25%Tamil)
Kalmunaikkudi (95% Muslim),Akkaraipattru (60% Muslim 40 % Tamil) Lahugala
90% Sinhala ). The drinking water facilties are to be set up in Pottuvil (65%
Muslim, 30 % Tamil, 5% Sinhala) and Pandiruppu ((95% Tamil). Some of the
worst afflicted villages were the Tamil areas of Thirukkovil, Komari, Karaitheevu
and the Muslim areas of Sainthamaruthu, Maruthamunai, Ninthavur and the
mixed areas of Kalmunai and Pottuvil. The DART will do well to focus its
energies in these areas in the coming days.
It must be stated that the aid stations being located in a particular area does
not mean that services will be restricted to those of the locality alone. But
transport being a problem people may not be able to come over. The DART will
be of immense service if mobile medical services are provided. Also purified
water could be supplied to adjacent areas through local NGO's. The water
purification is done through Canada built machinery. It is a process done by the
Reverse Osmosis Water Purification Unit (ROWPU) and is capable of supplying
150,000 to 200,000 litres per day. The medical aid centres can treat 25 to 30 in
patients and 200 to 250 out patients per day.
The team is a military organization designed to deploy rapidly anywhere in the
world to crises ranging from natural disasters to complex humanitarian
emergencies. The DART:
responds rapidly, in conjunction with national and regional governments and
non-governmental agencies, to stabilize the primary effects of an emergency or
disaster;
provides purified drinking water and medical aid to help prevent the rapid onset
of secondary effects of a disaster; and
gains time for the deployment of national and international humanitarian aid to
facilitate long-term recovery in a disaster-stricken community.
The DART serves four critical needs in emergencies, namely:
primary medical care;
production of safe drinking water;
a limited specialist engineer capability; and
a command and control structure that allows for effective communications
between the DART, the host nation, and the other agencies involved in the
relief effort, including international organizations, non-governmental
organizations
The DART was set up in 1996. The DART concept was necessitated after the
Rwanda genocide. Canada deployed troops too late and too little after the
tragedy and so ineffective. After DART came into fruition it has served with
distinction in the Honduras and Turkey. The DART was not sent in to Haiti
because of the cost involved. The Sri Lankan operation "Structure" is estimated
at $ 20 million dollars.
As stated DART operates only where it is needed and wanted in a permissive
environment. It does function where there is organized resistance. It is not
deployed for more than a six week stint. In Sri Lanka DART will operate for forty
days. After withdrawal it will be situation ready in one week.
The 206 DART personnel in Amparai consist of units and sub - units. The
rough personnel breakdown is headquarters - 45; logistics - 20;engineering -
37; medical -40;defence and security - 45; sub - unit command - 20. The
commanding officer in Amparai is Lt. Col Mike Voith; the deputy commander is
Major Julia Atherley - Blight. Both have an engineering background.
An important reason for Canadian PM Paul Martin visiting Amparai personally is
to see for himself the contribution being made by DART. There are some
circles in Canada who feel that deploying DART is not worth the effort or cost.
There is also a view that DART was deployed too late in Sri Lanka. Martin will
therefore make a first hand assessment about "operation Structure" in Amparai.
It is to hoped that the Canadian PM will return satisfied that DART has really hit
bull's eye on its target - the hearts and minds of the tsunami' stricken people of
Eastern Amparai.
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