United Nations praised the government for making a significant progress in providing relief to displaced people in Sri Lanka.
The UN’s Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator, Catherine Bragg who visited former conflict and flood affected areas in the Northern and Eastern provinces yesterday commended the government for making significant progress in meeting the needs of the displaced.
While calling for greater efforts to assist former internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Sri Lanka who have returned to their villages and are facing daunting challenges trying to rebuild their lives she request the government to help those return home from camps.
“However, those who have been released [from camps] now face a daily struggle to rebuild their lives, and have to start from scratch,” said Ms. Bragg, who is also the UN Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator. “There is nothing left. They are going to need schools and teachers, hospitals and doctors, and basic social services,” she added.
In the north, she went to Theravil in Mullaitivu District, which was recently cleared of landmines, enabling former residents to return and begin rebuilding their lives.
During Ms. Bragg’s visit, aid organizations expressed their wish to help address the range of physical, social and psychosocial needs of the returnees.
“We are here to support them. It is good that the Government has invested significantly in infrastructure, but this should be combined with investing in the people as well,” Ms. Bragg said.