UNHCR - United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees

Published purpose

The decades-long conflict between the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and Sri Lankan government forces ended in May 2009. Approximately 300,000 civilians were displaced in the final stages of the conflict, and most were placed in government-controlled camps. These internally displaced people (IDPs) are now returning to their home areas and are starting to rebuild their lives. However, they continue to require humanitarian assistance to meet their basic needs. In addition, a number of IDPs remain in the camps, where they are completely dependent upon assistance. CIDA's contribution is supporting the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to provide emergency shelter, non-food relief items, protection and camp management assistance to internally displaced people (IDPs) and returnees in Sri Lanka. Activities include distributing and tracking of non-food relief items to IDPs and returnees, in accordance with specific needs; provision of a shelter grant to returnees; monitoring, reporting and responding to protection concerns in camps and areas of return; and, the promotion of humanitarian principles through advocacy and training.