Thank you Mr. Chairman. I would also like to thank the Government of Japan for hosting this conference, which offers so much to the long suffering people of Sri Lanka.

As we all know, the human suffering and displacement arising from nearly two decades of armed conflict in Sri Lanka are indeed considerable. Over 65,000 lives have been lost, and close to one million people have been displaced. They continue to bear the brunt of destruction, and suffer from tremendous physical and psychological hardship.

The World Food Programme’s vulnerability analysis reveals what most observes have perceived—- that significantly more families in the North and the East of the country are food insecure as compared to the rest of Sri Lanka. Therefore, we in WFP feel that the focus of our efforts needs to be on these conflict-affected areas during the rehabilitation and recovery phase, even while we remain committed to continuing our important development programmes in other parts of the country.

The challenges of rehabilitation and reconstruction in the North and the East are immense. Many areas under LTTE control have seen practically no development for the last two decades. As all here know, there has been massive destruction of private property and community infrastructure. Roads and agricultural infrastructure, such as the previously highly developed irrigation systems, have not been maintained for years.

What were once large and productive swathes of agricultural land have returned to bush. Land mines are widespread, representing a major barrier to return and reintegration in many areas.

With all of Sri Lanka now on the brink of a sustainable peace, the needs of the people are indeed great. And, as this conference shows, the willingness of the international community to help meet those needs is likewise great.

In May 2002, the World Food Programme conducted a rapid food aid needs assessment in the North and East. This assessment revealed that food security was a major concern for internally displaced persons hoping to return to their home villages. Based on this finding, WFP, in consultation with the government of Sri Lanka and other partners, decided to initiate a substantial food-for-work program designed to provide a safety net to thousands of vulnerable families, while at the same time creating physical assets that would strengthen vulnerable communities in the medium to long term.

The core objective of WFP efforts in the North and the East of Sri Lanka is now to provide assistance to cover the food gap of the most vulnerable, conflict-affected people. Our efforts are carried out in close partnership with the Government of Sri Lanka at all levels, as well as with non-governmental organizations and other partners, including the LTTE. WFP’s activities are designed to compliment the Government’s efforts, and are aimed at restoring self-reliance.

The strategy of WFP’s Relief and Recovery Programme is to support peace-building initiatives through rehabilitation activities that concentrate on food-for-work community-based schemes targeting local host populations, especially in areas of IDP return. In 2002, WFP implemented a total of 192 food-for-work projects in the LTTE-controlled area of the North, providing family food rations that benefited 120,000 persons. This year, we are implementing another 290 food- for- work projects.

WFP food assistance is also providing a “safety-net” for the most vulnerable conflict-affected people. We recently commenced a much-expanded supplementary feeding programme targeting children 6 to 36 months of age, as well as expectant and nursing mothers. This Mother Child Nutrition program is focused on two districts in the North, where malnutrition levels are disturbingly high. We plan to expand it to other conflict-affected districts of the North and the East in the near future. WFP is also collaborating with UNICEF on an emergency education and school feeding programme in the North and East. This pilot activity will be introduced in five education zones from July this year, and will initially benefit approximately 27,000 primary school students.

In all its activities in Sri Lanka, WFP is committed to working in a spirit of partnership and cooperation with its sister United Nations agencies and the international financial institutions. In this regard, I would like to pay tribute to Mr. Miguel Bermeo, the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Sri Lanka, who has worked so hard to bring together the different agencies into a united and strong team.

Following a request last month from the Government of Sri Lanka, the World Food Programme has decided to undertake a major new returnee-feeding project. WFP will soon begin feeding people who have expressed their own personal belief in peace by returning to their home villages, as well as those who chose to return in the coming months. By providing returnees with a six month family food ration, this new project will help returnees with the difficult process of beginning a new life, and give them hope for a better future. The estimated total number of potential beneficiaries is 700,000. This new activity is designed to support and strengthen the recovery and reconciliation process to which everyone at this conference is so committed.

The World Food Programme is extremely grateful for the generous support of donors for our activities in Sri Lanka. I would like to pay a special thanks to the Government of Japan. Japan graciously took the initiative to host this conference, has been a tireless supporter of peace, reconciliation and recovery in Sri Lanka, and continues to be a valued contributor to WFP in Sri Lanka and worldwide. Indeed the generosity of the Japanese people makes Japan the second largest donor to the World Food Programme.

I kindly urge all donors to look closely at WFP’s efforts to advance, through partnerships and the targeted and efficient use of food assistance, the reconciliation and recovery process in Sri Lanka. I believe that if you choose to take such a look, you will conclude that the World Food Programme’s current and future activities deserve your support.

Thank you.