Sri Lanka: UN refugee agency calls for broader protection of displaced persons

The United Nations agency, involved in massive shelter support to some 63,000 people who have fled combat in northern Sri Lanka, today called on the island nation’s Government to speed up protection measures for internally displaced persons (IDPs).

The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) welcomed the facilitation of short visits by friends and relatives to some sites, and the provision of telephone, telegram and mail services in almost all sites in the Vavuniya district, where a majority of those fleeing heavy fighting between the military and the Liberation Tamil Tigers of Eelam (LTTE) have sought refuge.

Meanwhile, approximately 1,800 IDPs with special needs, particularly the elderly, have been released from the sites, and some 1,345 separated families have so far been reunited, according to the Government.

“While commending these initiatives, UNHCR calls upon the government to accelerate progress on other outstanding protection concerns,” Ron Redmond, spokesperson for the agency, said today in Geneva.

Those concerns, Mr. Redmond said, include maintaining the civilian character of the IDP sites and the separation of ex-combatants from the civilian population, expediting the screening process in IDP camps and subsequently allowing freedom of movement.

“UNHCR has made a number of concrete suggestions on how best to proceed and will continue to work closely with the government to ensure that minimum international standards are met at all sites,” he added.

The ultimate objective of the government should be to facilitate the safe and voluntary return of the displaced to their villages of origin by removing obstacles to return, such as explosive mines, he said.

During the crisis, UNHCR has so far distributed some 36,000 plastic mats, over 22,000 bed sheets, 32,000 mosquito nets, more than 46,000 men's and women's clothing, 9,000 kitchen sets and thousands of hygiene kits to the IDPs, according to the agency.