An IOM-backed centralized government
database containing information on populations affected by the
December 2004 tsunami has recorded details of half a million
people.

The database, which is funded by ECHO and was
launched in September 2005, can be accessed by government and aid
agencies, and identifies people's needs and the aid that they have
received to avoid wasteful duplication.

The data, provided by heads of families,
includes their picture and fingerprints, as well as an overview of
help they have received in relation to shelter, livelihood,
psychosocial support and cash.

The registration process was organized by a
National Data Centre, working under the President's Office, and
supported by IOM. It eventually plans to register up to 200,000
families.

"The data collected will help to establish a
centralized, easily retrievable and usable system to better
understand the needs of populations affected by the tsunami. The
objective is to ensure a better exchange of information between
various organizations engaged in tsunami assistance," says IOM Sri
Lanka Chief of Mission, Christopher Gascon.

Four buses, each equipped with 15 computer
terminals and a team of data collectors travelled daily through
affected communities to collect information. Data collection has
now been completed on the West coast and has begun on the East
coast.

Anyone missing the chance to register during
the first mobile round will be able to do so at data centres set up
at government offices in each of the thirteen tsunami-affected
districts. The centres, equipped with computers hosting the
database, are tasked with sharing information and updating
data.

For further information, please contact:

BlanchePicarello

IOM Colombo

Tel.: +94.77.359.7348.

E-mail: "mailto:bpicarello@iomsrilanka.org" target="_blank" title=
"">bpicarello@iomsrilanka.org