The Business of Peace: BPA-s Symposium for investing in Sri Lanka

The Business of Peace: BPA-s Symposium for investing in Sri Lanka

Source : Yatv.net
Sri Lanka

The Business of Peace: BPAs Symposium for investing in Sri Lanka

(Colombo Lankapuvath July 03) The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and partners are supporting the Government of Sri Lanka with the return process in Ampara today (03), marking the first Government-organized return movement in the district in seven years.

In addition to accompanying todays process, the agency is distributing emergency shelter kits that can be used as a temporary measure. Shelter agencies will carry out shelter assistance for the returnees whose homes have been completely destroyed, a press release issued by the UNHCR said.

It also said prior to return, de-mining/ clearance of unexploded ordnance was completed and the IDPs were provided an opportunity to engage in a go & see visit to ensure that they were able to make an independent and well-informed decision.

Originally hailing from two areas of the Thirukkovil division in Ampara, these IDPs were on the move since 1990 due to the conflict, until they returned to their villages following the 2002 ceasefire. However they were once again displaced by the escalation in violence in the east in 2006.

UNHCR will also provide the families in the return areas with return packages which include kitchen sets, mosquito nets and hygiene kits among other items. Moreover, UNHCR will coordinate closely with local government and other agencies in the district to help carry out infrastructure development, livelihood support and improve services such as education in the return areas.

UNHCR staff will also make regular visits to the return villages to address and resolve outstanding concerns. Staff on the ground says in general, the IDPs are keen to go back to their villages of origin. They are among some 3,600 IDPs living with host families in Ampara and are awaiting return.

So far UNHCR has assisted the Government with facilitating the return of more than 220,000 IDPs in the east during the last two years while only a handful remain in displacement.

As conditions stabilize in the emergency shelter sites in Sri Lankas north and the Government prepares for mass returns, good practices such as demining and go&see visits that have been adopted in the east and parts of the north should serve as an example to ensure that these returns take place in safety and dignity.

UNHCR remains committed to providing support to the Government with future IDP returns in Sri Lankas North and East.

Courtesy- Presidential Media Unit

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