### Disaster Recovery: Malaiyaha Community Calls for Equality 📈

The Malaiyaha Civil Collective for Reconstruction has raised urgent concerns regarding "step-motherly treatment" in the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah. While national recovery is accelerating, the plantation sector remains disproportionately affected by displacement and structural neglect. • Impact & Displacement 99% of all government-run shelters nationwide are located in just five hill country districts. Over 95% of displaced families staying with friends or relatives are from these same regions. The majority of those unable to return to their homes belong to the Malaiyaha Tamil community. • Core Bottlenecks Land Rights: Lack of clear ownership prevents access to permanent housing and government relief. Policy Gaps: No clear guidance for administrators on providing relief within state or private estates. Language Barrier: Urgent need for all official communication and relief documentation to be available in Tamil. • Key Demands for Reconstruction Financial Aid: Immediate clarity on the Rs. 5 million for housing and Rs. 5 million for land previously announced by the President. Dignity in Housing: Rejection of "line-room" style apartments; demand for secure land titles and "new villages" integrated into the mainstream. Direct Intervention: State mechanisms should deliver aid directly, bypassing Regional Plantation Companies (RPCs) and the PHDT. Infrastructure: Sufficient fund allocation to repair damaged estate roads, schools, and medical facilities. Based on provisional reports from the DMC and Civil Collective as of January 15, 2026.