The conduct of the Preliminary Physical Assessment (PPA), the initial step of the Accelerated Resettlement Programme for the Jaffna District (ARP-J), commenced work this morning at the Jaffna Kachcheri. Seven teams comprising representatives of the GOSL, LTTE, and UNHCR will assess the physical destruction and land contamination in the fourteen AGA divisions of the Jaffna district, excluding the areas of the High Security Zones (HSZs). The preliminary assessment is expected to determine the ground realities and indicate the nature of support required to rehabilitate the essential infrastructure to facilitate the return of displaced persons. The assessment is expected to be completed by 7 February 2003.