''Villagers in the Jungle"

Village in Baticaloa district rising up again from the forest of valikakandi, after the war, with the help of volunteer service of NAFSO and other social services groups. Valikakandi village abandon by the villagers during the war, where 320 families lived together with harmony. After the end of conflicts, in 2009, the displaced villages asked for help from the NAFSO to resettle their old village, as the governmental authorities were asked them to resettle in old village to supply necessary support and develop infrastructure. One full week of free labor given by the volunteer groups, villagers were able to clear the 4km long road where covered by thick forest and area to build their temporary houses. The villages now live with some sort of freedom from weapons, but they have not received the expected full support from the government except 10 water motors to get water from wells, which have dried up due to low rain level in the area. After 2years of resettlement, still water supply canal have develop up to 2.5km only more than 50% remaining to complete. Whether villagers have enough agricultural lands, they have no enough water to supply plants even drinking water is scares. No hygiene facilities, electricity or way to earn money for survival. Human – Elephant conflict is imminent, no security to the 55 families live in the village now. These facts were gathered while NAFSO activists re visit the village on 9th and 10th of August, to review the progress and to find out the situation of the families settle down there. They conduct a program to aware them on food sovereignty, and submitted some dry food rations among families who have lost their breadwinners during the war, and also some local seeds to cultivate in their home gardens. Baticaloa district activists Mr. Shashikaran, Mrs. Lavena hasanthi, coordinator of women program, Mr. A.Jesudasan and Mr. Priyankara costa participated to the program.