'US will continue to support Sri Lanka's humanitarian relief efforts' says US Ambassador

The outgoing US Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Robert O. Blake paid a farewell call on Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama at the Ministry Tuesday (18 May 2009). Ambassador Blake informed the Minister that he had arrived in Sri Lanka at a time when the security forces had commenced their operations against the LTTE following the closure of the Mavil Aru sluice gates in July 2006. He noted that he was completing his assignment in the country at a historic moment, when the LTTE has been militarily defeated.

He said that the US will continue to support Sri Lanka's humanitarian relief efforts for the large number of civilians who have been displaced by the conflict in the North. He hoped that these people would be provided with the best possible care in the IDP centres and welfare villages, until their resettlement in their original places of habitation.

Further urgent humanitarian assistance for Sri Lanka

Following the launch on Monday 4 May of an urgent United Nations appeal for emergency international assistance, Australia will provide a further $10 million in humanitarian assistance to meet the critical needs of civilians adversely affected by the conflict in northern Sri Lanka, particularly those in displaced peoples camps or near the conflict zone.

Australia's contribution will be aimed at key areas for assistance including water, sanitation, shelter, food and health care. It will be provided through United Nations agencies, including UNICEF and the World Food Programme (WFP) and Australian NGOs.

The $10 million will include $4 million for UNICEF, $2.5 million for the WFP, $1.5 million to other UN agencies and $2 million for Australian NGOs. Read more ...

Australia boosts Sri Lankan aid by $10m

Australia will provide a further $10 million in humanitarian assistance to civilians affected by the conflict in northern Sri Lanka.

Foreign Minister Stephen Smith said on Friday the money would be distributed through United Nations agencies.

Mr Smith said the money would be used to provide water, sanitation, shelter, food and health care.

Australia has provided a total of $23.5 million in humanitarian assistance to Sri Lanka since December last year. Read more ...

India donates 900 tonnes of relief material to Sri Lanka

India on Thursday handed over its second consignment of 900 tonnes of humanitarian relief assistance to the International Red Cross to be distributed among thousands of war-displaced civilians in Sri Lanka.

India's High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Alok Prasad handed over to the International Committee of the Red Cross delegation a consignment of 40,000 family packs of humanitarian relief material intended for the internally displaced persons (IDP) affected by the ongoing conflict in the island's north. Read more ...