With the return of one thousand families for re-settle in the Ampara district on July 02 the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and partners have assisted with Government of Sri Lanka to the return process in Ampara today, marking the first Government-organized return movement in the district in seven years. In addition to accompanying today’s process, the agency is distributing emergency shelter kits that can be used as a temporary measure.

Only a handful of IDPs in the East await re-settlement today.

The thousand returnees to Ampara district on July 02 was the first government organized return of displaced persons to this district in 7 years.

The UNHCR said that prior to this return, de-mining/ clearance of unexploded ordnance was completed and the IDPs were provided an opportunity to engage in a ‘go&see’ visit to ensure that they were able to make an independent and well-informed decision.

Originally hailing from two areas of the Thirukkovil division in Ampara, these internally displaced persons (IDPs) were on the move since 1990 due to the conflict, until they returned to their villages following the 2002 ceasefire. However they were once again displaced by the escalation in violence in the east in 2006 and have since been staying with friends and relatives in areas nearby.

UNHCR will also provide the families in the return areas with return packages which include kitchen sets, mosquito nets and hygiene kits among other items. Moreover, UNHCR will coordinate closely with local government and other agencies in the district to help carry out infrastructure development, livelihood support and improve services such as education in the return areas.

UNHCR staff will also make regular visits to the return villages to address and resolve outstanding concerns. Staff on the ground says in general, the IDPs are keen to go back to their villages of origin. They are among some 3,600 IDPs living with host families in Ampara and are awaiting return.

A media release from UNHCR said that, as conditions stabilize in the emergency shelter sites in Sri Lanka’s north and the Government prepares for mass returns, good practices such as demining and ‘go&see’ visits that have been adopted in the east and parts of the north should serve as an example to ensure that these returns take place in safety and dignity.

UNHCR remains committed to providing support to the Government with future IDP returns in Sri Lanka’s North and East.