When Tamil IDPs are able to return home, the UK’s commitment will help provide logistics, transport, emergency shelters/rebuild basic services to IDPs

UK committed to help Sri Lanka: Mike Foster

The UK has committed to help rebuild the lives and livelihoods of the 284,000 Sri Lankans who were forced to flee their homes during the recent fighting.
International Development Minister Mike Foster allocated £3 million to help support the first stages of recovery from the conflict and prepare for displaced civilians to return home from the camps.

Conditions in the camps are improving, but are still basic. As humanitarian access has increased, aid agencies have been able to set up emergency health services and deliver urgently needed medicines and food.

However, there are reports of high levels of malnutrition, overcrowding and inadequate access to decent water and sanitation facilities. Civilians in the camps have still not been granted freedom of movement to leave the camps. When the civilians are able to return home, the UK’s commitment will help provide logistics, transport, emergency shelters and rebuild basic services for families returning home from the camps.

The funds will also help people recover their livelihoods by giving them the tools and training to restart their lives, such as through cash grants, providing seeds and tools and vocational training.

Even though fighting has stopped, there are still considerable risks for the thousands of civilians displaced by the conflict. Many areas were mined and unexploded ordnance and munitions will continue to pose a dangerous threat until they can be safely disposed of.

As part of the UK’s £3 million funding, DFID stands ready to support international humanitarian demining agencies in their work.

Mike Foster said ‘Hundreds of thousands of people still remain in camps two months after fighting stopped. Our funding will help make sure that people can return home as quickly as possible and start to rebuild their lives and livelihoods.

“The camps cannot be a long term solution. The Government of Sri Lanka must stick to its own commitment and return the vast majority of civilians within 180 days, including the interim option of staying with host families where necessary.

“We also encourage the Government of Sri Lanka to continue do everything possible to allow humanitarian agencies to operate effectively by making sure relief workers can access visas and lifting the restrictions imposed on entering the camps and the Medawachchiya checkpoint.”

(UK Department of International Development)