UN to assist EP development
– UN Under-Secretary General Holmes

[Tuesday, August 07, 2007 - 6.00 GMT]

The UN is very keen to help as much as it could in the redevelopment of the Eastern Province, UN Under-Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs Sir John Holmes said when he met Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama and officials at the Foreign Ministry yesterday (06).
  
A statement issued by the Foreign Ministry said that he also observed that there was appreciable improvement in the ground situation in Sri Lanka.
  
The Under-Secretary General also discussed with the Foreign Minister and officials concerns of the international community regards issues of access. Foreign Secretary Kohona impressed on the UN delegation that while the Government had little issue with the UN agencies in the operational areas, there were concerns regarding the activities of some INGOs and NGOs who have not shown results in their previous humanitarian relief work especially in the East prior to the clearing of the area of the LTTE.
  
Sir Holmes expressed concerns regarding the security and safety of humanitarian aid workers, but acknowledged, “the situation which had gone through a bad period was getting better”.
 

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Last Updated Date: August 07, 2007 - 6.00 GMT