EU support for displaced persons in northern Sri Lanka

Summary: April 24, 2002: European Commission announces support programmes for displaced persons in northern Sri Lanka (Brussels)

The European Commission is to finance two assistance programmes for internally displaced people and households affected by the conflict in Sri Lanka. The two projects are worth €3.35 million, and will be carried out by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (€1.95 million) and CARE Deutschland (€1.4million). The objective of the project is to minimize internal displacement, facilitate voluntary return and re-integration and to help internally displaced people to find solutions as well as to improve living conditions and rights for victims of conflicts.

Sri Lanka's civil conflict has been continuing for more than eighteen years. It is estimated that more than 60.000 people have been killed in the conflict and around 800.000 displaced, with major destruction of towns and villages in the North and East of the island. The financing decisions follow closely on from the welcome entry into force on 24th February 2002 of the cease-fire agreement between the Government of Sri Lanka and the separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).

In spite of this significant step forward, it is likely that a high number of persons will have to stay at the present centers for displaced people before new measures are implemented. The programmes funded by the European Commission will cater for the basic needs of the affected population, in particular through providing assistance in the following areas:

Improve access to potable water and construct adequate sanitary facilities. Training projects on the principles and practicalities of clean water and sanitation.
Increase household food production: Rehabilitation of irrigation systems to improve crop production. A revolving loan fund will be set in place to assist farming and fishing activities as well as supporting environmental projects.
Health and community services: Establishment or renovation of health facilities and improved access to emergency and specialized care. Renovation of orphanages and assistance with projects to improve community activities. Provision of materials and labour costs to reconstruct and renovate schools.
Increase capacity for vocational training, and to support business opportunities through small business loans.
Provision of semi-permanent shelter, storage space for contingency stocks of relief supplies and project related equipment and basic domestic items. Improve access to services, schools, offices and other public facilities.

In addition, the programme will help to provide agency operational support through general project management, public information services, legal assistance and training and orientation seminars.

The Commission is strongly committed to contributing to an international rehabilitation and reconstruction effort once the peace process is firmly established, and to supporting durable solutions for internally displaced people and returnees.

Ref: EC02-077EN
EU source: European Commission
UN forum: Other
Date: 24/4/2002

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