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| Thursday, 3 July 2003 |
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The Japanese Government has made a further contribution of US$ 750,000 (approximately Rs. 72 million) to the UNHCR for its Country Programme and US$ 1.25 million (approximately Rs. 121 million) for Supplementary Programme specifically earmarked for Sri Lanka. Thereby Japan honours its pledges made through Yasushi Akashi, Representative of the Government of Japan on Peace-Building, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction in Sri Lanka at the Oslo meeting in November, 2002 and the Tokyo Conference in June, 2003 to support the ongoing Sri Lankan peace process. In his opening statement at the Oslo meeting Mr. Akashi had explicitly pledged that Japan would provide an emergency grant of US$ 2.86 million through UNHCR to help the internally displaced people in Sri Lanka. The latest contribution is a second phase of this emergency grant aid, the first being a sum of US$ 1.62 million which was granted to the UNHCR in December last year. Furthermore in keeping with Japan's endeavour to promote the process of peace-building in conflict affected areas of the region and provide humanitarian assistance for those affected by such conflicts, Japan has also made a contribution of US$ 2.4 million (approximately Rs. 230 million) to the UNHCR to be utilised flexibly for its activities in the South Asian Sub-region which includes Sri Lanka as well. UNHCR's major mandate is to provide protection assistance to people who are displaced as a result of the conflict. In addition UNHCR endeavours to identify durable solutions for both the refugees and internally displaced people either in form of returning home or relocation. Over the years, UNHCR's planned operational programme in cooperation with humanitarian agencies and NGOs has maintained a conspicuous presence in relief operations to the internally displaced people in the North and East areas of Sri Lanka. It has been constantly seeking durable solutions to facilitate the return and reintegration of the displaced people into safe areas. The Government of Japan applauds these noble objectives and achievements of UNHCR and pledges its continued assistance for such humanitarian projects while supporting the Government of Sri Lanka's plan for their successful programme of Relief, Rehabilitation and Development, states Japanese Embassy press release. |
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