Joint appeal for funds before Oslo Donor meeting

[TamilNet, Saturday, 23 November 2002, 19:16 GMT]
The Sub-Committee for Immediate Humanitarian and Rehabilitation Needs in the North and East (SIHRN) formed after the second round of peace talks in Thailand sent out an appeal to the international community for support to rebuild NorthEast.

Describing the 19 years of conflict as devastating especially to people of NorthEast, the appeal cautioned that "unless the people urgently experience practical benefits from the process much that has been gained can be lost."

Pointing out that "the state of Sri Lanka, despite its considerable efforts, is unable to provide the resources needed to meet even the most immediate needs," the appeal urged the international community to demonstrate the political support by providing financial support that meets the Rehabilitation needs of the people of NorthEast.

The appeal said the immediate needs are the assistance to returning Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), removal of mines and Unexploded Ordnance (UEOs) and meeting the needs of affected children.

The Committee said that while they work towards upholding human rights, reaching a negotiated settlement and bringing reconciliation between communities to enable sustainable peace, they appeal to the International Community for support.

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An Appeal
for
Immediate Humanitarian and Rehabilitation Support
in
the North and East of Sri Lanka


We - the Sub-Committee for Immediate Humanitarian and Rehabilitation Needs in the North and East – are today conducting the first meeting of this committee in the Government Agent's Office in the war devastated town of Kilinochchi in northern Sri Lanka. The Sub-Committee is a body appointed by the plenary committee of the negotiating process representing the Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL) and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).

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• A Background for Our Appeal
  
• The Need for International Action
  
• Assistance to Returning IDPs
  
• The Needs of Children and Women
  
• The Need for Dignified Livelihood
  
• Relevant information on SIHRN
  
• Final Comments
  
• Annex 1: Guiding Principles for Implementation of Activities
  

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