The Government has applied good practices in IDP return such as certified mine clearance prior to return, go & see visits, provided transport for returnees and their belongings, and coordinated a return assistance package including food, shelter assistance and essential non-food items for the resettled Tamil civilians, states the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR).

UNCHR is actively supporting the Government with the organized return of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in its programme of resettlement of the IDPs, and has assisted in the resettling of over 2,200 IDPs earlier this week.

UNHCR accompanied yesterday’s returns to ensure that the process was carried out in safety and dignity. The agency together with partners also plan on distributing non-food items and providing shelter support in the return villages, once shelter assessments are complete.

This announcement by the UNHCR comes in the wake of repeated concerns being make by UN Officials in New York and Geneva, and some counties led by the key EU members of alleged unwarranted delays in the resettlement of IDPs and demanding “unfettered and un impeded access” to the refugee villages in the North of Sri Lanka to personnel of the UN and other relief organizations, which the government has not accepted.

A Media Release from the UNHCR, June 10, states: “emergency response takes place to assist hundreds of thousands of people displaced by the conflict in Sri Lanka’s North, the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) supported the Government of Sri Lanka with the second group of organized returns in the Mannar district, yesterday.

Some 2,231 IDPs returned to seven villages in the Musali DS Division, located in the southern part of Mannar district, which at one time was controlled by the LTTE. They are among some 3,800 persons who were displaced from Musali to different parts of Mannar almost two years ago and have since then, been living in camps and with host families in the district.

As in previous returns, UNHCR support operations began weeks ago when field teams spoke with the IDPs about any concerns they may have regarding return. UNHCR accompanied the government-organized go & see visit for IDP representatives and received assurances that humanitarian mine clearance in villages of origin was completed. The agency also carried out village assessments prior to the returns to assess the level of damage to houses and basic infrastructure.

UNHCR accompanied yesterday’s returns to ensure that the process was carried out in safety and dignity. The agency together with partners also plan on distributing non-food items and providing shelter support in the return villages, once shelter assessments are complete.

Moreover, UNHCR will also provide post-return support in terms of Quick Impact Projects (QIPs). These small-scale community-driven projects have an immediate and long-term impact on communities, promoting sustainable return. After the process is complete, UNHCR staff on the ground will continue to make regular visits to the return villages to address outstanding issues or facilitate the provision of additional services.

In the context of return to Musali, the Government has applied good practices in IDP return such as certified mine clearance prior to return, go& see visits, provided transport for returnees and their belongings, and coordinated a return assistance package including food, shelter assistance and essential non-food items. UNHCR remains committed to providing support to the Government with future IDP returns in Sri Lanka’s North and East, the UNHCR states.