Support of the Return of Displaced People in Northern Sri Lanka - The HALO Trust 2010

For over two decades a civil war raged in Sri Lanka between the Government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). Following the end of hostilities in May 2009 approximately 300 000 people were displaced from their homes and were moved to government-controlled camps and transit sites. The displaced people are now returning to their home districts in the North of Sri Lanka. Many of these districts were the scene of heavy fighting and the land is contaminated with landmines and unexploded ordnance. CIDA's contribution is helping the HALO Trust support the return of individuals displaced by the conflict by conducting humanitarian mine clearance and area verification in northern Sri Lanka. This project is expected to enable up to 18 000 internally displaced people (IDPs) to return home to a safer and more secure environment.