Unosat19 April09

The depiction and use of boundaries, geographic names and related data shown here arenot warranted to be error-free nor do they imply official endorsement or acceptance by theUnited Nations. UNOSAT is a program of the United Nations Institute for Training andResearch (UNITAR), providing satellite imagery & related geographic information, researchand analysis to UN humanitarian & development agencies & their implementing partners.

Contact In format ion: info@unosat .org 24 /7 Hot l ine: +41 76487 4998 www.unosat .org

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PLEASE NOTE: The followinganalysis is based on satelliteimagery acquired on the morningof 19 April 2009 and thus doesnot reflect the dramatic changeson the ground following thereported SLA ground offensiveinto the CSZ and resulting IDPoutflow on Monday-Tuesday 20-21 April 2009. UNITAR/UNOSATwill provide updated analysis asnew satellite imagery is acquired.

Focus of Update Analysis (see Map on Fol lowing Page) Bui lding Destruct ion in Vadduvakal lu

!!"Security Event

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Assessment by UNITAR/UNOSAT ‐ 26 April 2009 PLEASE NOTE: The following analysis is based on satellite imagery acquired on the morning of 19 April 2009 and thus does not reflect the dramatic changes on the ground following the reported SLA ground offensive into the CSZ and resulting IDP outflow on Monday‐Tuesday 20‐21 April 2009. UNITAR/UNOSAT will provide updated analysis as new satellite imagery is acquired.

DAMAGE ASSESSMENT SUMMARY:

UPDATE: Within the northern and southern sections of the Civilian Safe Zone (CSZ), there are new indications of building destruction and damages resulting from shelling and possible air strikes. This analysis was conducted with a time series of very high resolution satellite imagery from 5 February to 19 April 2009. The following assessment is made with a high degree of confidence with the understanding that it has not yet been independently validated in the field. The figures on building damages represent minimum estimates. Actual damages are likely to be greater.

An additional 5 permanent buildings within the CSZ have been destroyed between 29 March & 19 April bringing the total estimate within the CSZ to approximately 60 main buildings destroyed. This count does not include potential damages to or destruction of IDP tent shelters. Because of their small size, portability and dense spacing, it is not possible to identify damages to IDP structures from mortar shells at an acceptable level of confidence.

Outside the CSZ, immediately to the west and south there are continuing indications of sustained shelling and possible air strikes, with the major concentration of newly detected building destruction and hundreds of impact craters located in the eastern sections of PTK especially centered on the main road leading east into the CSZ. Building destruction continues south of the CSZ in the town of Vellamullivaikal and Mulattivu. The remaining transport roads connecting the CSZ to the mainland were blocked by the construction of multiple trenches, security fences and earthen berms. A main bridge leading to the CSZ (TZ2) was also closed by roadblocks and serious damages.

Damages Inside CSZ:

1. Putumattalan: Three permanent buildings have been destroyed between 29 March and 19 April, bringing the total for the northern section of the CSZ to six destroyed since 15 March. There are potentially large amounts of moderate to severe damages to the remaining permanent buildings in this area.

2. Valayanmadam: 1 additional permanent building has been destroyed, and further south there is a cluster of likely impact craters within an area previously densely populated with IDP shelters.

Damages Outside CSZ:

3. Puthukkudiyiruppu (PTK): The major concentration of newly detected building destruction and hundreds of impact craters is located in the eastern sections of PTK especially centered on the main route leading east into the CSZ. This route is now nonfunctional because of a series of road blocks, impact craters and trenches erected along the main road.

4. Vadduvakallu: Building destruction continues in Vadduvakallu: 40 buildings destroyed between 29 March ‐19 April 2009 and a total of 148 building destroyed since 5 February 2009. A significant number of buildings were destroyed before 5 February 2009. A complete damage assessment is in progress by UNITAR/UNOSAT.

5. Mulattivu: Building destruction also continues in Mulattivu with a small number of new destruction between 29 March & 19 April. A complete damage assessment is in progress by UNITAR/UNOSAT.

6. West of Putumattalan: Bridge closed by multiple roadblocks and road damages (29 March ‐19 April) (TZ2) transport into CSZ impossible.

IDP (SHELTER) MOVEMENT SUMMARY:

Over five thousand of IDP shelters were relocated within the CSZ during April under pressure from increased shelling and military operations along the western sections of the CSZ. The approximate area of IDP settlement has further shifted eastward towards the coastline and south into the areas of heavy shelling between the villages of Karaiyamullivaikal and Vellamullivaikal.

1. The northern IDP shelter limit has remained stable between 29 March ‐19 April, however the density of IDPs here has sharply decreased. The southern IDP shelter limit has remained relatively stable between 29 March & 19 April, however the density of IDPs situated in the heavy shelling and damage zone between Karaiyamullivaikal and Vellamullivaikal has increased sharply.

2. Over 5,500 IDP shelters moved from western side of the CSZ (29 March ‐19 April) likely in response to escalating military activity and shelling. This estimate has been severely limited by cloud cover, and thus is potentially larger by two to four thousand shelters.

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19 April 2009

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!!" AnalysisExtent

The depiction and use of boundaries, geographic names and related datashown here are not warranted to be error-free nor do they imply officialendorsement or acceptance by the United Nations. UNOSAT is a program ofthe United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), providingsatellite imagery & related geographic information, research and analysis toUN humanitarian & development agencies & their implementing partners.

Contact Informat ion: info@unosat .org 24 /7 Hot l ine: +41 76 487 4998 www.unosat .org

3 Permanent blds destroyed here (northernCSZ) (total of 6 Since 15 March)See ID:229 focus map

Bridge closed by multiple roadblocksand road damages (29 March -19 April), (TZ2) transport into CSZ impossible. See ID:257 focus map

Over 5,000 IDP shelters moved from western side of the CSZ (29 March -19 April) likely in response to escalating military activity and shelling. Estimate limited by cloud cover (See ID:250 focus map)

3 impact craters next to trench and road damages

Northern IDP shelter limit remained stable between 29 March -19 April however density of IDPs northernCSZ decreased in April.

Building destruction continues in Vadduvakallu: 40 buildings destroyed between 29 March -19 April 2009Total of 148 blds destroyed since 5 Feb.See ID256 Focus Map

Linear formation of people along beachSee PC12 Focus Map

Southern IDP shelter limit has remained stable, however density of IDPsin this heavy shellingarea of CSZ has sharplyincreased in April.

Multiple trenches and earthen berms erected, blocking CSZ accessSee focus map ID:254

+ Vessel Wreckage......

......Likely Unchanged as of 6 March 2009"

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Map Legend

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Shift of IDP shelters......

Civilian Safe Zone (CSZ)......

Road / Bridge Obstacle......

Bridge......")

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Major concentration of building destruction and large impact craters See focus maps series ID:225 to 253

Damage Sites (DS)......

CSZ Transit Route......

Permanent Bld. destroyed in close proximity to earlier suspected air strike damages

Cluster of small impact craters in northern CSZ

Imagery Dates: 6, 15, 23 & 29 March, 19 April 09Satellite Data: WorldView, QuickBird & IkonosResolution: 0.5, 0.6 & 1.0 metersCopyright: NextView / DigitalGlobe 2009Source: US Dept. of State (HIU)Security Analysis: UNOSATGIS Data: UNOSATWater Bodies: Extracted from Radarsat-2Radar Dates: 19 & 23 March 2009Copyright: CSA - MDA 2009Projection: UTM Zone 44 North WGS-84Map Date: 26 April 2009

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1:60,000Map Scale for A4:

Current Northern IDP Limit

Current Southern IDP Limit

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......Relocated due to suspected shelling

IDP Shelter Status (19 April 2009)

Relocated due to flood watersDestroyed orSeverely Damaged

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Military Barrier, Earthen Berm or Trench ......

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Clusters of PeopleDetection ......PC 28

Click on Hyperlinked Text forSatellite Focus Maps:

Permanent bld. destroyed in CSZ surrounded by footprints of removed IDP shelters See ID:250 focus map

Three large craters (7- 8m diameter) south of CSZSee ID259 Focus Map

ID259

Red text boxes indicate changes on ground occurring between 29 March & 19 April 2009

Data frame rotated 14 degrees

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Site of multiple likely shelling craters within CSZ(See ID:249 focus map)

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© DigitalGlobe Inc. 2009NextView License


29 March 2009

Over 800 IDP shelters visible within this area of CSZ on 29 March 2009 have been removed as of 19 April 2009 likely in response to escalating military activity and shelling.

Permanent building destroyed between 29 March & 19 April

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DMS: 091956.63N 0804513.47E

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Focus Map Location

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Focus Map Location

people in linear formations along beach within CSZ (numbering in low hundreds).

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Suspected Site of multiple shelling craters within CSZ

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Focus Map Location

3 permanent blds destroyed between 29 March & 19 April, 3 additional blds destroyed between 15 -29 March.

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Road leading to bridge blocked by security fence

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trench filled with water (w:7m, L:850m) constructed along road between 15 -29 March.

Bridge closed by multiple roadblocksand road damages (29 March -19 April),

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Bridge connecting CSZ demolished by trench barrier constructed between 29 March & 19 April 2009

Trench barrier

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© DigitalGlobe Inc. 2009NextView License Agreement

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Focus Map Location

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Multiple impact craters of varying diameter (1-12m )

Large Trench & Earthen Berm Approx 15m wide & 750m long

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Large Trench & Earthen Berm 750m long

Trench 500m Long

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Crater formed before 5 February 2009

Area of multiple small impact craters

Large impact crater(12m diameter )

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Focus Map Location

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Area of intense shelling / bombardment

Two 4-5m impact craters

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Area of intense shelling / bombardment:1st period of craters formed between 15-29 March,2nd period of craters formed between 29 March -19 April

IDP family-built trenches and shelter footprints left after relocation

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Focus Map Location

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Three craters 7-9m diameter& one smaller crater of 3m

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Destroyed buildings generally have load-bearing interior and exterior walls left intact with the roof removed.

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Building destruction continues in Vadduvakallu: 40 buildings destroyed between 29 March -19 April 2009Total of 148 blds destroyed since 5 Feb.This image extent is a focus zoom over a portion of the town destruction.

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