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Euro 15-million aid for Sri Lankan people

Special Correspondent

To cover basic needs such as food security, healthcare

NEW DELHI: The European Commission (EC) has allocated a Euro 15-million humanitarian package to help the conflict-affected people in Sri Lanka and refugees in Tamil Nadu, according to an announcement made here.

This new allocation, including a specific Euro 3-million for food aid activities, will cover basic needs such as shelter, water, sanitation, food security and healthcare.

‘Major violations’

In a statement, EC Humanitarian Aid Department chief Louis Michel said the EC was extremely worried by the unacceptable increase in violence that is affecting Sri Lanka.

“The brutality of the conflict is appalling and there are major violations of international humanitarian law by both sides. The humanitarian space is diminishing. Aid agencies need to have access to victims with full security and protection for their personnel.”

Lakhs displaced

Since 1983, the conflict between the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and the Government in the North and East of the country, has claimed over 70,000 lives and about eight lakh people have been internally displaced.

A further one lakh Tamils have fled to refugee camps in India.

The new allocation is intended to meet the vital needs of the conflict-hit communities in Sri Lanka as well as water and sanitation facilities for the Sri Lankan refugees living in Tamil Nadu.

Partners to help

The projects will be implemented by the EC’s partners already working in the field — non-governmental organisations, U.N. agencies and the International Red Cross.

Since 2004, the European Commission has given a total of Euro 79 million in aid to Sri Lanka, including Euro 3 million of food aid and Euro 42 million for tsunami victims.

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