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| Wednesday, 21 January 2004 |
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The European Commission Humanitarian Aid Office (ECHO) has announced a new support of Euro 2 million (equivalent to Rs. 250 million) for Sri Lanka's mine action activities. Mine risk education, mine surveys, mine field fencing, mechanical and manual mine clearance operations and assistance to mine victims will be implemented throughout 2004 for the benefit of the resident population and the Internally Displaced People (IDPs) within the conflict-affected areas, acting head of delegation Wouter Wilton told Lankapuvath. The European Commission is committed to help eliminate the threat posed by anti-personnel landmines throughout the world. Since the Ceasefire Agreement, the European Commission has contributed Euro 8.1 million for mine action in Sri Lanka, including Euro 5.3 million from ECHO. This has been supplemented further by contributions from EU Member States' national programs. The European Community supported mine risk awareness, mine field fencing and mine mapping as early as June 2002. These interventions have contributed to a significant reduction in the number of landmine injuries, from approximately 20 to four to seven incidents per month, and the safe return of 330,000 IDPs since February 2002. ECHO is also conducing a needs assessment mission in Sri Lanka from January 19 to 31 to prepare additional support to IDPs and host communities in the North and the East in other sectors such as distribution of non-food relief items, water and sanitation and food security. ECHO is a service of the European Commission which provides emergency assistance directly to people in distress, irrespective of race, religion or politics. Since 2000, ECHO has contributed Euro 19 million in support of humanitarian aid operations in Sri Lanka. Lankapuvath |
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