Discussion with women whom family members disappeared 

Discussion carried out on present situation of women in Thumpalachchole whom family members disappeared during war. There was a media briefing in 24.01.2012 on the issues, but there was no any reaction from the authorities according to the family members.

Issues They Face at Present:

• No information on disappeared persons, family members including children are living under stress. They want to know whether the disappeared persons are living in somewhere or not.

• No proper way of livelihood, even day labor is scares.

• Some have started self employment activities but they cannot strengthen the family economy since there is no any proper market. The day income is about 100 to 150 LKR but expense over 300LKR per day. Most are borrowing money for the survival and whole the time they are in cycle of loan. 

• Children have no sufficient nutritious food, most of the time they are having one meal for a day and also children lack materials for the education purposes. 

• Due to security reasons, at night most families live together with neighbors.  

• Social discrimination of widows.

• They have to walk about half a mile for drinking water.

 Decisions taken:

• Meet again on 23^rd March, 2012 to discuss for strengthen the group.

• Prepare work plan for next quarter.

• Permanent day for meeting and discussion in every month.

• Take the participation of 13 widows live in village who are not yet in the group.

Participants:

12 members from disappeared person’s families in the village.

Mr. A.Jesudasan

Mrs. Lavina Hasanthi.

Mr. Shashikaran.