PR - 24

The High Commissioner of India, Mr. Alok Prasad, today handed over to the UN Resident Representative, Mr. Neil Buhne, the fourth consignment of relief goods from India meant for the IDP population in northern Sri Lanka. The 600-ton consignment, which arrived in Colombo on 8th August and is valued at over USD 3 million, is a symbol of India’s continuing concern for the welfare of the IDPs. It consists of more than 600,000 packages of grocery items, utensils, plastic mats, clothing materials including children’s clothing, footwear, jerrycans and personal hygiene items. Almost all the items in the consignment are sufficient to cover the needs of 80,000 families, i.e., nearly the entire IDP population in the north.

The Government of India wishes to express its appreciation to the Government of Sri Lanka for facilitating the arrival and clearance of this important consignment. It also wishes to thank the UNHCR and the UNWFP for undertaking the distribution of these relief materials to the IDPs as well as to those families that are expected to be resettled in the coming weeks and months.

The Government of India hopes that the process of resettlement will continue apace. It reiterates its readiness to work with the Government of Sri Lanka in assisting the latter to fulfil its commitment for early resettlement of all displaced families to their original habitat.

Colombo