Colombo – The Netherlands has pledged EUR 2 million (LKR 277,820,000) to support two IOM programmes that are helping internally displaced people (IDPs) to return home and reintegrating former LTTE Tamil Tiger combatants into civil society.

The contribution of EUR 1 million to each programme will allow IOM to continue to help families to return to their home areas in the north and east of the country from Menik Farms and other displacement camps in Vavuniya.

IOM has already moved over 190,000 IDPs from the Vavuniya camps, but some 55,000 remain. The government wants them all to return to their home areas by the end of August. 

The Dutch money will also go towards IOM provision of emergency shelter, transitional homes, water and sanitation and job creation in the conflict-ravaged communities to which the IDPs are returning.

Announcing the contribution, Dutch Ambassador Leoni Cuelenaere said: "It is important to help these people to return home safely and with dignity. We hope that IOM's programme will meet their immediate needs and provide them with a foundation from which they can start to rebuild their lives and livelihoods."

IOM has already helped over 9,600 returning families to start new livelihoods, by providing training, tools and small grants for returnees working in agriculture, livestock rearing, fisheries and small businesses.

The Dutch funding (EUR 1 million) will also support an IOM programme designed to help reintegrate former LTTE Tamil Tiger combatants into civil society.

IOM's Information, Counselling and Referral Service (ICRS), which has been implemented in post-conflict situations in 25 countries worldwide over the past 20 years, is designed to help former combatants and their families to return to civilian life.

Its services include a detailed profiling of each former soldier's individual needs, referrals to appropriate training bodies or employers, financial assistance, tools and equipment, and advice on how set up a small business.  

"The two programmes are designed to stabilize communities torn apart by Sri Lanka's long-running conflict, to encourage reconciliation and to contribute to the peace and security that this country needs for full economic recovery," says IOM Sri Lanka Deputy Chief of Mission Lorena Lando.

"This is a major challenge that will need even more financial and moral support from the international community. IOM is committed to raising funds and working with the government and our local and international partners to see it through to a successful conclusion," she added.  

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For further information, please contact: Stacey Winston, IOM Sri Lanka, Tel:  +94 (0) 115325300, E-mail: swinston@iom.int