02 February 2010
Since September 2008, DFID has allocated £12.5 million of humanitarian assistance to Sri Lanka - read how this money is being used (figures updated 2 February).
View timeline of the conflict and the humanitarian response
Watch a video from DFID staff in Sri Lanka and view pictures from the displaced people's camps
Please e-mail SouthAsia-Newsletter@dfid.gov.uk if you would like copies of the newsletter (see links on right)
Clearing landmines
Ongoing landmine clearance work from the Mines Advisory Group (MAG), funded by DFID, is helping hundreds of families return to land scattered with deadly landmines during the country's 27-year civil war.
Many villagers are now returning to continue farming and other businesses.
Read the story of a 71 year-old former farmer in Adampan, one of the most prosperous parts of the country's Mannar region.
Shelter, along with food, clean water and medicine, is one of the first requirements of a humanitarian response. In May 2009, DFID made a £550,000 grant to United Nations Operations (UNOPs) to construct temporary shelters and improve water and sanitation conditions in the IDP camps in Vavuniya. The grant also included funding for UNOPs to provide transitional shelters for IDPs returning from the camps to the Manthai West district.
The latest official UN figures (15 January) estimate that some 187,500 IDPs have now been released from the camps.
Of this number, approximately 158,500 IDPs have been returned to their district of origin and 29,000 are either living with host families or in institutions.
These pictures from UNOPs and DFID staff show how UKaid from the Department for International Development is making a real difference to the lives and living conditions of these IDPs.
The images depict a typical journey for many of those who are now being allowed to return home. They show the journey of a returning IDP from accommodation in tents in the camps to transit centres, often in schools or churches. When areas have been declared safe of mines, support from UNOPs helps the returning IDPs construct transitional shelter in their former homes or villages.
DFID has also provided support to demining agencies such as the Mines Advisory Group and The Halo Trust for mine surveillance, mapping and demining activities to help make the areas safe for returning IDPs.
View more photos of DFID's work in Sri Lanka on Flickr
Mike Foster welcomes release of displaced people
In response to the opening of the camps in Northern Sri Lanka today, International Development Minister Mike Foster welcomed the release of thousands of displaced people. He commented:
'Opening the camps and granting real freedom of movement will allow the thousands still living in the camps to start to rebuild their lives. The UK has repeatedly called for civilians to be freed and allowed the choice to return home.
'But now it is imperative that humanitarian agencies be allowed full access to give them the help they need in all the places that they return to.
'The UK will continue to clear landmines, provide transport from the camps and help restart their lives so people can return home quickly and safely.'
Mike Foster statement to Parliament on Sri Lanka
Mike Foster MP, Minister for International Development today submitted a Written Ministerial Statement to the House of Commons, officially welcoming the Government of Sri Lanka's recent announcement of their intention that all IDPs will have total freedom of movement from 1st of December. The statement also provides an update on DFID's humanitarian response in Sri Lanka.
Read the full statement
Gallery: view photos of displaced people preparing to return home
View more photos illustrating DFID's response in Sri Lanka in our Flickr gallery
In response to reports of the Government of Sri Lanka's decision to open the camps on 1 December, International Development Minister Mike Foster said:
'Granting genuine freedom to decide their own future will be a major relief for those still trapped in the camps. The UK has repeatedly called for civilians to be freed and allowed the choice to return home.
'Humanitarian agencies must now be allowed to give them the help they need in all the places that they return to.
Read the full press release
Sir John Holmes visits Sri Lanka
Sir John Holmes, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief, visited Sri Lanka again on the 17 - 19 November. He welcomed the recent progress by the GoSL on returning the IDPs from the camps to their homes but said that "returm must be both voluntary and informed". He also concluded that 'freedom of movement' was critical for the IDP population. Read more about his visit and impressions on: http://www.un.lk/media_centre/press_releases.php?id=84
Meeting with NGOs
Mike Foster and Des Browne (the Prime Ministers' Special Envoy to Sri Lanka) meet with non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to discuss the humanitarian and wider situation in Sri Lanka. The meeting is co-ordinated by Crisis Action.
UK commits further help to clear mines and rebuild lives in Sri Lanka
UK funding will help clear landmines from Northern Sri Lanka and help thousands of civilians displaced by recent fighting to return home and rebuild their lives it was announced today.
International Development Minister Mike Foster allocated three new grants to help clear the way for civilians to return home from the camps for displaced people, provide them with a safe route home and the means to restart their lives.
Read more
See the joint FCO / DFID Written Ministerial Statement updating Parliament on the wider political and humanitarian situation in Sri Lanka.
Freedom of movement 'top priority' for displaced people in Sri Lanka
Freedom of movement is critical if a humanitarian crisis is to be averted, Development Minister Mike Foster said as he visited camps in the north of Sri Lanka today. After visiting camps for internally displaced people (IDPs) he voiced concerns about the impact that heavy rains, due to hit the north of the country from mid-October to December, will have on the 260,000 civilians living there.
UN political chief meets Sri Lankan government
B. Lynn Pascoe, UN Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, visited Sri Lanka from 16 to 18 September. He visited the IDP camps in Vavuniya and met with the Sri Lankan government. Read more about his visit at the UN News Centre.
A view from the camps
Katy Attfield, a humanitarian specialist working for DFID, visited the Menik Farm camps near Vavuniya in the north of Sri Lanka at the end of August after the early rains. Here she describes what conditions are like for the hundreds of thousands of people displaced from their homes by the recent conflict, who remain in camps hoping for a brighter future. See a gallery of photos from Katy and other DFID staff below:
Supporting the UN response
DFID today agreed to fund OCHA (UN Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs). The grant is for £75,000 and will support OCHA to maintain the UN Information Management Unit (IMU) in country to continue to provide an information management service for the humanitarian community in Sri Lanka. The IMU provides bespoke regular humanitarian updates and statistics, as well as 'at a glance' emergency updates to the UN Agencies, other donors and NGOs.
Recent flooding in the IDP camps
In response to the recent flooding in the IDP camps in Sri Lanka, Mike Foster said:
'We remain keenly aware of the humanitarian situation in the internally displaced people (IDP) camps in Vavuniya. Our Humanitarian Advisor, based at the BHC in Colombo, regularly makes visits to the IDP camps to assess and monitor conditions. Following recent heavy rain, the flooding in Menik Farm is of concern and our Humanitarian Adviser is on the ground assessing the situation. The monsoon season will start soon and further flooding is almost inevitable. The best solution to this situation, and our greatest priority, is the safe return of the IDPs from the camps to their homes as soon as possible.'
Tackling the deadly threat of mines
The UK today announced new support to clear northern Sri Lanka of thousands of mines and unexploded bombs left over from decades of fighting.
DFID will give the Mines Advisory Group (MAG) a £500,000 grant to help survey minefields and pinpoint unexploded ordinance so they can be safely disposed of.
DFID responds to UN call for a resettlement plan
Responding to the UN’s call for a clear resettlement plan for returning displaced people in Sri Lanka, a spokesperson from the Department for International Development said:
‘With more than 278,000 Sri Lankan civilians still living in temporary camps in Sri Lanka, it is vital the Sri Lankan Government embarks on a coherent plan for returning these people back home.
‘The camps cannot be a long term solution. Two months after the end of fighting, we urge the Sri Lankan Government to make good its own commitment to return the vast majority of displaced civilians within 180 days, including the interim option of staying with host families where necessary.
‘This will give freedom of movement back to this population so that they can start to regain their former lives and livelihoods as Sri Lanka takes its first steps towards recovery.
‘We welcome the UN’s call for action. They will play a vital role in coordinating the humanitarian effort in response to the Sri Lankan Government’s plan. The UK stands ready to provide support to the UN and other humanitarian agencies engaged in returns and recovery activities.’
DFID plans for early recovery in Sri Lanka
DFID has now allocated £3 million of funding to early recovery activities for Sri Lanka. This will help support international partners in their work to return the IDPs (internally displaced people) from the camps to their homes as soon as possible. The DFID early recovery strategy (pdf - 172 kb) outlines the areas in which we will work including:
UK commits to help Sri Lanka recover from conflict
The UK has today 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.
Read today's statement to Parliament by International Development Minister Gareth Thomas on the humanitarian situation in Sri Lanka
ICRC to scale down operations in Sri Lanka
Following the cessation of active hostilities between the Sri Lankan State and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), the government of Sri Lanka has asked the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to scale down its operations in the country.
The ICRC has had a permanent presence in Sri Lanka since 1989. Its role in the country has evolved over the years, always in response to changing needs. The ICRC first responded to the needs resulting from an uprising in the southern part of the country in the late 1980s. Later, in connection with the conflict between government forces and the LTTE, it carried out humanitarian activities which continued until earlier this year.
"The ICRC is in the process of reviewing its setup and operational priorities in Sri Lanka," said Jacques de Maio, the organisation's head of operations for South Asia. "As a first step, it will close its offices and withdraw its expatriate staff from the Eastern Province while winding down its operations in the area. However, the ICRC will continue its dialogue with the Sri Lankan government on issues of humanitarian concern."
In accordance with its mandate, the ICRC reaffirms its commitment to address the humanitarian needs of those directly or indirectly affected by the recent conflict, including displaced people and returnees.
See the UK government response to this announcement on the FCO website.
DFID staff visit Sri Lanka to assess humanitarian situation
Neil Barry and Jo Simpson work on Sri Lanka for DFID. They recently visited Colombo and Vanvuniya to assess the humanitarian situation and the impact of DFID funding on those affected by the recent conflict. Watch Neil's video report (above) and read Jo's diary of a day in Vavuniya and the IDP camps.
New funding for Sri Lanka announced
DFID has today approved a grant of £400,000 to UNICEF for an emergency measles and polio vaccination campaign covering all the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps in Vavuniya as well as the provision of nutritional supplements. This programme will operate out of the emergency health clinics in the IDP camps which DFID funded through the International Office of Migration (IOM) last month.
Ministers hold meeting with NGOs on Sri Lanka
International Development Minister Mike Foster and Des Browne, the Prime Minister's Special Envoy to Sri Lanka, met for a roundtable discussion with interested NGOs on the 24 June to discuss the emerging humanitarian situation in Sri Lanka. The meeting was co-ordinated by Crisis Action.
More help for IDPs
Mike Foster has approved more funding allocations to help the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) who have been displaced by the conflict.
£0.65 million has been allocated to Oxfam and CARE, who are working together to provide safe water, improve sanitation facilities, and raise awareness of public health issues for 20,000 IDPs currently living in camps and school buildings.
£0.4 million has been allocated to Médecins Sans Frontières to provide emergency surgery and post-operative follow-up care for war-wounded civilians, many of them children.
UN Secretary-General urges progress
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon visits Sri Lanka to urge for progress on humanitarian issues, to expedite the screening process and to being political dialogues aimed at reconciliation.
Read Ban Ki-Moon's statement on the UN website
Mike Foster calls for better access for humanitarian agencies
International Development Minister Mike Foster today made a written statement to the House of Commons on the humanitarian situation in Sri Lanka.
He restated the UK government's commitment to helping to resolve the humanitarian situation in Sri Lanka. He also raised specific concerns which need to be addressed before humanitarian agencies can provide the support needed. He stated:
"Visa restrictions are still being imposed on agencies, including those with surgical teams on stand by to assist the thousands of war wounded who await life saving treatment. Practical restrictions are also still being imposed on entry to the camps and on the supply of basic relief items like water and sanitation equipment. We encourage the Government of Sri Lanka to do everything possible to allow humanitarian agencies to operate effectively on the ground."
Read the full written statement
End of fighting declared
President Rajapakse formally announces the defeat of the LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam) and the end of fighting in the conflict area.
DFID announces further aid for Sri Lanka
International Development Secretary Douglas Alexander today announced that the Department for International Development would give a further £5 million in aid to Sri Lanka
Speaking about the announcement, International Development Secretary Douglas Alexander today said:
"We must prevent this desperate situation descending into a humanitarian catastrophe. There is already an urgent need for supplies of aid and it is vital that the Sri Lankan government and the Tamil Tigers allow international agencies immediate access to the thousands of people driven from their homes by the fighting.
"It is essential that we get food, medicines and shelter in as soon as possible to save lives, and thereafter that we help people to return to their homes as soon as they safely can. That is why the Department for International Development is giving a further £5 million.This money would be immediately available and brings the amount of humanitarian assistance to Sri Lanka given by the Department for International Development to £12.5 million."
The additional funding will go towards providing life saving humanitarian assistance such as emergency shelter, water, sanitation and medical care.
As soon as possible thereafter, the money will help to support displaced people to make a dignified and safe return to their homes. It will ensure that everything possible is done to help them in this. This could include humanitarian demining, providing shelter and basic services for survival as well as recovery of their livelihoods.
This brings the total amount of aid given by the Department for International Development to the crisis to £12.5 million this year. DFID has already allocated £2.5 million of humanitarian assistance to Sri Lanka in September 2008. A further £2.5 million was allocated in January 2009. An additional £2.5 million was allocated in April 2009 during the visit of Minister Foster to Sri Lanka to assess the humanitarian situation and response.
Mike Foster speaking from Sri Lanka in April:
Mike Foster and Des Browne (the Prime Ministers' Special Envoy to Sri Lanka) meet with non-governmental organisations (NGOs) on 14 May (having met earlier on 09 April) to discuss the humanitarian crisis. The meeting is co-ordinated by Crisis Action.
ICRC unable to continue operations
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) announces in Geneva that it can no longer continue operations because of continuous heavy fighting. "Our staff are witnessing an unimaginable humanitarian catastrophe," says the ICRC's Director of Operations. "No humanitarian organization can help them in the current circumstances. People are left to their own devices."
International Development Secretary Douglas Alexander says: "I am utterly appalled that the ICRC is no longer able to continue its operations in northern Sri Lanka."
Read the Secretary of State's full statement
Since September 2008, the ICRC has been the only international agency allowed access to the conflict area. Since February 2009, the ICRC has evacuated more than 14,000 sick, war-wounded and carers by sea on the boat 'MV Green Ocean'. This has been the only lifeline for civilians trapped in the area, providing food and other desperately needed relief supplies. Prior to February 2009, the UN was able to deliver food and relief supplies by road but was not allowed a permanent presence in the conflict area.
DFID has contributed £1.5 million to support the lifesaving work of the ICRC. We pay tribute to the courage of their staff and others who continued to try and deliver food and medical supplies into the conflict area at enormous risk to themselves.
New UK support for victims of Sri Lankan conflict
Minister for International Development Mike Foster today called on the Sri Lankan government to do everything possible to enable humanitarian agencies to help people escaping the conflict zone.
Over 110,000 people have fled to the safety of displaced persons camps in the last week after spending months exposed to heavy fighting. However, an estimated 50,000 people remain trapped by the fighting.
Read the press release
UK supports displaced Sri Lanka civilians
New UK support worth £335,000 will help the International Organisation of Migration (IOM) to register all civilians who have been displaced by the conflict and are now living in camps.
Support of £500,000 has also been provided to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), who are working in the camps to provide shelter and to distribute basic supplies such as blankets, and essential household items such as cooking sets and water containers.
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Camp for those displaced by conflict in Sri Lanka
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