ICRC - International Committee of the Red Cross

Published purpose

24 March 2011 - 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. The majority of the internally displaced people (IDPs) have returned to their home areas, and only about 20,000 people remain in displacement camps. However, returnees continue to require humanitarian assistance to meet their basic needs, and many of them have been affected by the severe flooding that struck Sri Lanka in late 2010 and early 2011. CIDA's contribution is supporting the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to address the humanitarian consequences of the long conflict in Sri Lanka. Working through the Sri Lanka Red Cross Society, ICRC is providing protection, improved access to clean water, physical rehabilitation services and cash-for-work opportunities for the conflict-affected population. In addition, ICRC is working with the government, armed forces, police, media and other influential groups to promote international humanitarian law and principles in Sri Lanka.