EU humanitarian aid to Sri Lanka and Tamil Nadu

The fighting between Sinhalas and Tamils that started in 1983 triggered huge population movements. In the wake of the February 2002 ceasefire, more than 230 000 internally displaced persons living in the north and north-east of Sri Lanka are returning home, while 65 000 Tamils are still exiled in refugee camps in Tamil Nadu. Urgent help is needed, so the European Commission, via its humanitarian office (ECHO) under the direct responsibility of Commissioner Poul Nielson, has allocated EUR 6 million to help these refugees. The main objectives of this aid are to make some 610 000 people aware of the risks of anti-personnel mines, provide emergency aid for the most vulnerable people, and continue humanitarian assistance for the 65 000 Tamil refugees living in camps in India.

More than 800 000 people fled the fighting that flared up in 1983 in the north and north-east of Sri Lanka. Some of them have already started the homeward journey since the ceasefire concluded in February 2002. Living conditions for the Tamil refugees still in Tamil Nadu are extremely precarious, so humanitarian organisations are working to help them return home by providing emergency aid and appropriate assistance. This ECHO financing decision covers a period of 12 months.

The EUR 6 million released by the Commission has been earmarked mainly for internally displaced people and the most vulnerable sections of the population. On top of the aid for the Jaffna peninsula, to where most of the displaced persons are returning, support is being provided for Vanni, Trincomalee and Batticaloa in the north and north-east.

Protecting the returnees from the risks of anti-personnel mines, for instance via awareness campaigns, is a key element of the humanitarian aid measures supported and financed by the Commission. ECHO is proposing programmes that take account of the vulnerability of these people and the urgency of the situation. The food security programme is continuing: the 50 000 internally displaced people who have returned home will benefit from this assistance. Another priority for ECHO is helping the Tamil refugees in Tamil Nadu, so the Commission is providing more than EUR 700 000 in health and nutritional assistance for 65 000 refugees. Women and children will be the chief beneficiaries.

ECHO aid to Sri Lanka since 2001 has now topped EUR 15 million.

| Arriba |

• Joint Statement on situation in Sri Lanka (4/11/2003)
• EU Presidency declaration on peace negotiations in Sri Lanka (30/4/2003)