UN to help Sri Lanka resettle war displaced civilians
UN to help Sri Lanka resettle war displaced civilians
10:50, November 21, 2009 
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While praising the Sri Lankan government for accelerating resettlement of war displaced civilians in the north, a senior official from the United Nations has stressed the need of further improving the conditions of the camps in the north where more than 100,000 Tamil civilians are still being held six months after the conclusion of the island's bloody civil war.
UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator John Holmes who concluded his four-day visit to the island told reporters here Thursday evening that he was impressed by the progress made by the government to send half of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) home.
"The commitment of the government to resettle the IDPs is encouraging," Holmes said at the conclusion of his trip which included visiting IDP camps in the northern Vavuniya district and holding discussions with Sri Lanka's top officials.
The camps were set up to shelter about 280,000 fleeing Tamil civilians during the final stages of the war between the military and the rebel Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).
Government officials said over 130,000 Tamil IDPs have been resettled although the government originally said most of the IDPs would be resettled within 180 days.
The Sri Lankan government was under pressure from the UN and human rights groups to resettle the IDPs who are under tight security measures.
Warning the government on prolonging the detention of the IDPs, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said it would lead to many issues among Tamils in Sri Lanka.
Holmes said the major concern of the UN was the IDPs' freedom of movement.
Holmes said he had raised the matter during his discussions with Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse, his ministers and other high profile officials including Defense Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapakse.
Expressing hopes that the government would take steps to create freedom of movement in future, Holmes said certain security requirements were relaxed and it was a good sign.
During his visit to Sri Lanka, Holmes met displaced people in IDP camps in Vavuniya. He said the progress had seen a rapid change since May, when there were over 280,000 IDPs but it has now reduced by half.
Holmes, who was surprised to see the damaged buildings and houses during his visit said the IDPs need to be resettled in properly de-mined areas.
"People need to be consulted as much as possible on where they are going, the status of their homes and their livelihoods. But I must say that those who have been allowed to return are quite relieved to get out of the camps and rebuild their lives with what little they have," said Holmes.
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UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator John Holmes who concluded his four-day visit to the island told reporters here Thursday evening that he was impressed by the progress made by the government to send half of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) home.
"The commitment of the government to resettle the IDPs is encouraging," Holmes said at the conclusion of his trip which included visiting IDP camps in the northern Vavuniya district and holding discussions with Sri Lanka's top officials.
The camps were set up to shelter about 280,000 fleeing Tamil civilians during the final stages of the war between the military and the rebel Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).
Government officials said over 130,000 Tamil IDPs have been resettled although the government originally said most of the IDPs would be resettled within 180 days.
The Sri Lankan government was under pressure from the UN and human rights groups to resettle the IDPs who are under tight security measures.
Warning the government on prolonging the detention of the IDPs, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said it would lead to many issues among Tamils in Sri Lanka.
Holmes said the major concern of the UN was the IDPs' freedom of movement.
Holmes said he had raised the matter during his discussions with Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse, his ministers and other high profile officials including Defense Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapakse.
Expressing hopes that the government would take steps to create freedom of movement in future, Holmes said certain security requirements were relaxed and it was a good sign.
During his visit to Sri Lanka, Holmes met displaced people in IDP camps in Vavuniya. He said the progress had seen a rapid change since May, when there were over 280,000 IDPs but it has now reduced by half.
Holmes, who was surprised to see the damaged buildings and houses during his visit said the IDPs need to be resettled in properly de-mined areas.
"People need to be consulted as much as possible on where they are going, the status of their homes and their livelihoods. But I must say that those who have been allowed to return are quite relieved to get out of the camps and rebuild their lives with what little they have," said Holmes.
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