Colombo –  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.

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For further information, please contact: BlanchePicarello, IOM Colombo, Tel.: +94.77.359.7348, E-mail: bpicarello@iomsrilanka.org