February 4, 2008
The Honourable Beverley J. Oda, Minister of International Cooperation, today announced Canada’s support to help those affected by the ongoing conflict in the Vanni region of Sri Lanka.
" I am very concerned about the impact of the conflict on Sri Lankan civilians," said minister Oda. “ The Government of Canada’s support is critical and will help provide emergency humanitarian assistance to those in need. We are working with organizations that have access to affected populations to ensure Canada’s assistance will get to those in need."
The Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) will provide $3 million for life-saving humanitarian aid to those affected by the conflict. This consists of grants to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Oxfam Canada, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), World Vision, and CARE Canada.
Since the end of the 2002 ceasefire agreement between the Sri Lankan government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam in January 2008, fighting in the Vanni region has intensified. Overall, it is estimated that between 230,000 - 300,000 people remain displaced in the Vanni, representing roughly 40-55 percent of the population of the region.
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Information: Michelle Coates
Presse Secretary
Office of the Minister of International Cooperation
Telephone: 819-953-6238
Media Relations Office
Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA)
Telephone: 819-953-6534
E-mail:
media@acdi-cida.gc.ca
Backgrounder
Canada’s Support in Sri Lanka
The following is a list of partner organizations and descriptions for the allocation of funds:
International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) - $1Million
The ICRC will provide increased protection, medical assistance and improved access to temporary shelter, water and sanitation services for conflict-affected populations in the Vanni region. This includes ensuring access to drinking water through building and rehabilitating latrines, wells and water systems; providing temporary shelter materials for newly displaced people; documenting allegations of international human rights violations, while urging parties to the conflict to prevent further violations and to release recruited minors; distributing essential household items and hygiene kits; and supplying medicines and surgical equipment to hospitals in conflict-affected areas, as well as training hospital staff and supporting emergency services.
Oxfam Canada - $500,000
Oxfam will provide emergency shelter, safe water, sanitation facilities and hygiene promotion to conflict-affected populations in the Vanni region. This includes the provision of temporary water supply systems, well cleaning and water quality surveillance; training and support towards the maintenance and operation of water and sanitation facilities; construction of emergency latrines and bathing places; public health promotion initiatives including activities to raise awareness on public sanitation; and the provision of emergency shelters. The project is expected to provide up to 19,500 people with maintained health and physical security.
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) - $500,000
MSF will help to improve access to emergency, surgical, gynecological and obstetric care at Point Pedro hospital in the Jaffna Peninsula, which serves up to 120,000 people. Activities include ensuring the presence of an emergency doctor, surgeon, and gynecologist and anesthetist specialists; training medical and paramedical staff; helping to ensure proper hygiene in the operating room; providing support to existing hospital support services (radiology, blood bank); developing an Emergency Preparedness Plan in case of a mass casualty situation; and data collection and analysis, including evaluation of the post-surgical infection rate. Overall, the project is expected to help maintain the health of up to 120,000 conflict-affected individuals.
World Vision - $500,000
World Vision will provide temporary, transportable shelter materials to displaced populations in the Vanni region. Project activities also include protection activities geared towards displaced conflict-affected children, particularly through providing safe child-friendly spaces for the most vulnerable children such as girls, separated and unaccompanied children, and children vulnerable to abduction. Overall, the project is expected to provide more than 10,000 conflict-affected individuals with maintained health and physical security.
CARE Canada - $500,000
CARE will build and upgrade emergency shelters, and help to increase access to safe water and sanitation facilities by constructing emergency latrines, renovating existing toilets, rehabilitating wells and conducting health and hygiene education training. In addition, essential relief item kits will be distributed to displaced families in the Vanni region, and 500 expectant mothers will be provided with clean delivery kits. Activities will focus on displaced families, particularly the most vulnerable households with pregnant and lactating women, mentally and physically disabled persons and unaccompanied children and elders, as well as those headed by women. Overall, the project is expected to enable up to 11,000 vulnerable individuals to maintain living conditions, health and physical security.
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Information: Michelle Coates
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of International Cooperation
Telephone: 819-953-6238
Media Relations Office
Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA)
Telephone: 819-953-6534
E-mail:
media@acdi-cida.gc.ca
