The United Nations has said the displaced Tamil civilians continue to be vulnerable, needing support until livelihoods are restored, and has asked donors for a further assistance of $165 million.
Briefing donor countries, U.N. Resident/Humanitarian Coordinator Neil Buhne reiterated the urgent need to stay the course in helping displaced persons and returned communities. He said though generous donations of about $125 million had made these operations possible, $165 million more was needed to cover gaps.
As per the U.N., there has been substantial progress over the last months and since late 2009 and approximately 200,000 people have returned to their villages in the North. Though a declining number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) are with host families, it is estimated that 70,000 remain displaced or are in transit sites near their home areas. Less than 35,000 IDPs remain in emergency sites.
The world agency said notable contributions to the humanitarian efforts came from de-mining actors of both government and national and international agencies, which have cleared and released land, paving the way for the resettlement of the displaced.
A shelter grant of $220 (LKR 25,000) per family has been received by 55,000 families along with an equal number of non-food item kits. 4,000 permanent homes are under construction and a further 50,000 have been pledged by the Indian government.
So far in 2010, over 30,000 metric tonnes of food was provided to nearly 750,000 beneficiaries in the North. However, rebuilding livelihoods and agricultural productivity remains a common goal.
Combined efforts have ensured that over 300,000 people have had access to safe water and sanitation facilities. Common services such as health, nutrition and education have also made significant improvements in effort to normalise life in return areas and for those in camps.
