We are one of the major donors in terms of assisting the humanitarian needs in the North, especially with the recently displaced population. We have provided last year almost $30million in food aid to the World Food Program (WFP) and this year we are also contributing almost another $30million in food aid. In addition, we work with UN agencies and NGOs, both local and international, to help improve conditions in the camps so that they meet international standards in terms of shelter, water sanitation and health.

How do you seek to ensure the early return of IDPs living in the Vavuniya camps?

The US government feels it is very important that the people that have been displaced are returned to their place of origin, to their homes, as soon as possible. We do recognize there are certain preparations that need to be made and certain security issues that need to be taken care of but we believe that the early return of the people is a very high priority and this has been communicated to the Government of Sri Lanka.

What types of assistance are you going to provide to the families who are being resettled in North very soon?

We are a major donor in terms of food assistance and we have been discussing with WFP the provision of six months of dry rations –wheat flour, lentils and vegetable oil– which would be given to the newly resettled so at least for first six months, they won’t have to worry about their basic food items.

In addition, we have pledged a further $8million in assistance, to support early returns to restart their livelihoods. So if they are farmers, helping them with agricultural implements and seeds, or if they are fishermen, helping them with fishing equipment, cleaning out wells so they have access to water, maybe some repairing of irrigation canals.

We could also support Food for Work so people can engage in getting their communities up and running, small road repairs and things like that.

Will you help people change their livelihoods with training and support?

That would be in the next phase of assistance. We would be looking at microfinance, and helping people with small businesses, vocational training and things of that nature. It is definitely very important and would need to be taken care of.

Do you have any specific work plans to assist ex-combatants?

We do. We are working closely with the government and UN agencies on a national framework for a Sri Lankan strategy for the ex-combatants under the leadership of Minister Samarasinghe [Minister for Disaster Management and Human Righst]. We are also having good discussions with the new Minister of Justice who is responsible for reintegration of ex-combatants in the North. We have proposed and received approval for funding to work with the ex-combatants in the North. We are trying to work closely with other countries to encourage them also to partner with us to help reintegrate the people who have been identified as ex-combatants.

As a very big donor agency for Sri Lanka, how do you hope to see this country in 5 years time?

Myself, my agency and our government look forward to a peaceful and prosperous Sri Lanka and that there has been a process of political reconciliation and that every citizen is able to participate and enjoy living and prospering in this beautiful and wonderful country.

What is the importance of Lifeline?

I am very pleased that USAID is able to support Lifeline through Internews. It is extremely important work. The IDPs need information; they want to know where their family members are, when they are going to be going home. The information will give them security and peace of mind.

When Assistant Secretary of State, Eric Schwartz was here, we went together to Manik Farm and saw the conditions in the camps, in Manik Farm in particular. Assistant Secretary Schwartz talked to the IDPs and they asked him when they could be reunited with their families, when they were going to be going home.

We went to meet with the President and Assistant Secretary Schwartz brought up this point, about how information could play such an important role in reassuring the IDPs of what the future holds for them and the President really agreed with that. So I am confident that Lifeline will have the full support of the Government of Sri Lanka.

Original article on Internews Sri Lanka