Displaced people still needs humanitarian aid

August 18, 2012

Displaced people in Sri Lanka still needs humanitarian assistance despite the end of the war three years ago, the British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka and Maldives John Rankin said.

In a message to mark World Humanitarian Day which falls on Sunday Rankin said that Britain remains committed to support demining work in Sri Lanka until the end of 2013.

“In Sri Lanka, there is still a need for humanitarian work, following the end of the war. The UK Government recognises and supports this. Early in 2011, we announced a further contribution of £3 million by the UK Department for International Development (DFID) towards continuing demining work in Sri Lanka. We remain committed to this until the end of 2013. Demining is an important aspect of safety and security, post-conflict livelihood recovery and a return to normalcy for those who have suffered in a war, been displaced and are now seeking to rebuild their lives and everything they have lost,” he said.

He also said that in an age of natural and manmade disasters, conflict and violence, humanitarian workers save lives and help people who have lost everything – their livelihoods, homes and loved ones.

“On World Humanitarian Day, we thank all those involved in humanitarian work, inspiring still others by their example,” he added.