EU help for Vakarai residents

Rafik JALALDEEN

COLOMBO: The European Union has stepped forward to provide humanitarian assistance to the civilians in Vakarai.

It is reported that around 15,000 people remain in Vakarai and over 20,000 have already fled the area.

Partner agencies of the European Commission Humanitarian Aid department (ECHO) re providing dry rations, emergency shelter and basic non-food relief items to these residents, an EU press release stated.

This support is being directed through agencies which have a long experience in the conflict affected areas of Sri Lanka, such as ICRC, NRC, ZOA, ACTED, DRC, IOM, UNHCR, and WFP, the Head of Delegation of the European Commission in Sri Lanka Julian Wilson said.

He stated that their great efforts have ensured that some support has reached these most vulnerable groups regardless of ethnic group, religion, gender, age, nationality or political affiliation.

Several thousand kilograms of staple foods, dry rations and variety of non food relief items were provided by the ECHO partners over the last two months to the Vakarai civilians.

The ECHO partners also contributed to some other emergency reliefs activities. "Apart from the food and NFRI distribution the following activities also being implemented: setting up of IDP sites, construction of semi permanent shelters, emergency latrines, wells, provision of electricity, access roads and psychosocial support activities", he added.