CIDA tsunami recovery program to be completed in March 2009

The violation of the Ceasefire Agreement (CFA), PTOMS and the resurgence of conflict in the North and East are a hindrance to carry out tsunami recovery and other humanitarian work, said First Secretary (Development) Canadian High Commission, Calvin R. Piggott.

He said the resumption of peace talks and a conducive atmosphere are vital to coordinate and implement rehabilitation and resettlement work in the conflict hit areas of the country.

Piggott was speaking at a workshop organised by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) Program Support Unit for Sri Lankan NGO partners and to launch projects under the Local Tsunami Recovery Facility (LTRF).

The Canadian Government through the CIDA committed CDN $ 3.3 million for a three-year reconstruction and livelihood development program in April last year in the tsunami battered areas of the country.

The reconstruction program is designed to provide smaller scale funding to Sri Lankan NGOs, social institutions and locally based international organisations to support reconstruction, restoration and livelihood development activities among affected communities.

The LTRF will include development programs on fisheries, local governance, Human Rights, conflict resolution, environmental restoration and gender equality in the Ampara, Batticaloa, Matara, Galle, Hambantota and Colombo districts.

The Human Rights record in the country, escalation of violence in the North and East, misappropriation and equitable distribution of funds, co-ordination of NGO activities are some of the major challenges for tsunami programs in Sri Lanka, Piggott said.

The Canadian Government has committed CDN $425 for all tsunami recovery activities in affected countries. The CIDA tsunami recovery program in Sri Lanka will be completed in March 2009.

LF