Australia commits US$ 4.5m additional assistance

Australia has committed an additional $4.5 million in humanitarian assistance for civilians caught up in the conflict in Northern Sri Lanka. This assistance will provide urgent support including medical supplies, shelter, water and sanitation, a release from the office of Australian Foreign Affairs Ministry said yesterday.

The support will be delivered through the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees ($1.5 million), the International Organisation for Migration ($1.5 million), International Committee of the Red Cross ($1.0 million) and RED R Australia, an Australian NGO which supports UNICEF in the delivery of water, sanitation, and shelter ($0.5 million).

The $4.5 million package is additional to the $9 million in humanitarian support and food aid Australia has allocated to Sri Lanka since December last year.

In the communique it has reiterated Australia views the safety and protection of civilians must be the absolute priority for all sides engaged in fighting in Northern Sri Lanka, adding that they were deeply concerned about the humanitarian situation. Australia has also called for access to the UN team based in Sri Lanka to assess the full extent of civilian situation in the area.