Sri Lanka: Thousands Caught in Conflict
21 february 2009: Concluding a three-day visit to Sri Lanka on 21 February, Under-Secretary-General and Emergency Relief Coordinator John Holmes expressed his deep concern at the humanitarian situation and the safety of civilians in the north or the country. He also announced a US$10 million contribution from the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF).
The allocation will help United Nations agencies and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) assist thousands of civilians. The largest portion, some $3.1 million, will go to the World Food Programme (WFP) while $1.2 million will go to the World Health Organization (WHO). To address concerns related to the protection of civilians who have borne the brunt of the violence, some $1.1 million will be provided to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), including efforts to curb the recruitment of child combatants.
A Common Humanitarian Action Plan (CHAP) was issued on 19 February by the Interagency Standing Committee Country Team in Sri Lanka. The CHAP is asking donors for $155.5 million to finance 103 humanitarian and early recovery assistance projects to be carried out by UN and NGO partners.
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