The Italian contribution will fund UNHCR activities in humanitarian and legal assistance, education and sanitation for the IDPs as well as the Indian and Sri Lanka Governments to identify modalities for a voluntary and dignified return from India of Sri Lankans who fled the country due to the ethnic conflict.

This is the fifth occasion that the government of Italy has assisted Sri Lanka this year by providing funds for IDP welfare.

Italy provided 250,000 Euros in January 2009 and 2500,000 Euros in February to Sri Lanka. In March 2009, Italy gave 20,060 Euros to the World Health Organization to assist Sri Lanka and in May it made a further contribution of 400,000 Euros