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| Sunday, 26 October 2003 |
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UN pledges continuous assistance to Sri Lanka The United Nations Resident Coordinator in Colombo, Miguel Bermeo reiterated that the UN system would continue to be engaged towards assisting the people of Sri Lanka in meeting the challenging global targets. Miguel Bermeo was speaking at the flag-hoisting ceremony to mark the 58th anniversary of the United Nations held on Thursday, October 23. Miguel Bermeo further said: Here in Sri Lanka, the fruitful relationship between the people of the country and the United Nations and continued to grow in a variety of ways. Further to the Prime Minister's request to Secretary-General Kofi Annan in 2002 "to explore avenues for support to the Government socio-economic efforts in connection with the current peace initiative", the UN system has continued to respond affirmatively by increasing its level of engagement, funding and technical support. In addition to the assistance provided by individual agencies in all parts of the country, the UN system including the World Bank and the IMF, and in alliance with the Asian Development Bank, prepared a "Needs Assessment" for the 12 districts most affected by the conflict. This became one of the key pillars for the success of the Tokyo conference that brought unprecedented pledges of financial support to Sri Lanka. Earlier this year when heavy rains and ensuing landslides and floods caused tragedy in five districts of the South of the island, the UN system responded promptly and efficiently to the call of the GoSL for assistance to thousands of affected families. Just two days ago the Government of Sri Lanka launched its Millennium Development Goals national campaign aimed at halving extreme poverty by 2015. Here again the UN system is, and will continue to be, very engaged towards assisting the people of Sri Lanka in meeting these challenging global targets. I would like to conclude my brief remarks by quoting again the Secretary-General's message. "Let us all persevere, in the knowledge that we are all contributing to a better future, for ourselves and for our children". |
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