Emergency Assistance to Displaced Populations in Sri Lanka - UNHCR 2009

For over two decades a civil war has raged in Sri Lanka between the Government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). Despite the end of hostilities in May 2009 the humanitarian situation in Sri Lanka continues to be of concern. Approximately 300 000 internally displaced people are now located in government-controlled camps and transit sites. As of mid-August a small number of the displaced have begun to return home. The massive influx of internally displaced persons placed severe strain on the humanitarian services available. The key challenges include: insufficient access to food and potable water poor sanitation overcrowded conditions over-stretched health and education infrastructure and protection concerns for vulnerable populations and people with special needs. CIDA's contribution is supporting the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to provide emergency shelter protection and camp management assistance to conflict affected populations. Activities include distributing shelter materials; constructing emergency shelters; distributing and tracking of non-food relief items to displaced communities in accordance with specific needs; monitoring reporting and responding to protection concerns in areas of displacement return and relocation; and training on camp management including roles and responsibilities coordination community participation standards care and maintenance and protection in camps.