UN cash for the displaced people

UN agencies and international aid groups operating in the country have won direct commitments of funding of more than Rs. 8,000 million (about US $ 71.2 million) as emergency humanitarian aid for the war displaced people -- while the Government said yesterday it would enforce a 'national framework' for all organisations involved in relief and rehabilitation work.

In addition to the US $71 million committed, these organizations have also got around US $ 19 million made as uncommitted pledges since the recent large-scale displacement of civilians began in the North, according to figures compiled by the UN Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

Along with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the UN agencies involved in the operation include the World Food Program (WFP), its refugee agency UNHCR and UNICEF. The money is to be used to provide food, shelters and sanitary facilities for the displaced people in the north. A large amount of the money for the UN agencies has come from the UN’s Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) while several countries, too have committed funds for these organizations, The Sunday Times learns. Read more ...