23.02.11
In September 2010 an impact monitoring course was conducted in Sri Lanka. 20 selected national staff was invited to participate on the course conducted by the creator of the impact monitoring tool who is based in Copenhagen HQ. Among the course participants were de-miners, medics, drivers and survey people with equal gender representation. The course was running over 6 days and included training in how to do community entry meetings, surveys, key informant meetings and focus group meetings. All activities were conducted on two of the DDG mine clearance sites in northern Sri Lanka.
The impact monitoring tool is designed to help DDG to identify where each project and activity can adjust and change to maximise our impact. In 
addition, the impact monitoring process will further strengthen and build data collection in order to disseminate accurate information to stakeholders and conduct analysis of the needs of the affected community.
With this tool DDG is conducting interviews among the returnees to collect data on the mine and UXO location specific issues. These interviews are primarily conducted among the direct affected returnees living close to the mine site being cleared. The tool has proven to be a good instrument for both receiving and providing information about our work and mine safe behaviour in the specific area. Apart from being an instrument for information on the specific mine and UXO threat in the area, the liaison with the population also leads to the returnees reporting to DDG if they encounter anything suspicious, instead of leaving it or throwing it away endangering themselves or others.
On the top photo you see our key informant meeting conducted with the Grama Sevaka (Government appointed official in charge of this division) and the Chief of Military responsible for this area. This type of meeting is conducted in order to inform the GS of our survey and gain some more 
official information on the village - as how many is expected to be living in the area and primary source of income in the area, as well as any area specific useful information. Concurrently, we are able to assess if the GS is informed about our work and allow him to approach DDG with questions if any.
As we were speaking the male population of the village started to gather behind us and actively took part in the talks for mutual benefit of all partners as the villagers were able to inform the GS about specific restrains and hardships they encountered in the area. In the background you can see the temporary tents erected for the returnees while they are waiting to be able to safely access their homes. At the time of the impact monitoring course they had been back for approximately one month and DDG expects they will be able to gain access to their homes within 3-6 months.
One focus group meeting was held at the local school building now housing more than 100 displaced persons. DDG arranged to meet with all the women in the area in order to 
hear their assessment of the situation as a community rather than an individualist. They expressed a sincerely wish to be able to access their homes as they were unaware of the condition of their homes having been displaced for more than 4 years. Another strong concern was the limited possibilities of making a living as the land surrounding them was contaminated with mines and they had no transportation means to access the nearby town to take on day labor. Health problems was another issue as living in tents exposed them, and especially their children, to insects and snakes causing fear of bites and infections.
A report has been created from the surveys conducted during the Impact monitoring course and have been distributed to the relevant donors and to DRC. The surveys will be followed up with an impact assessment upon completion of the mine site in 2011.