The European Commission has allocated €5.5 million for humanitarian aid operations. The fund will be utilised for returnees, internally displaced persons (IDPs) and refugees. It will help approximately 250,000 new returnees to rebuild their livelihoods, improve the living conditions of 27, 000 IDPs who remain in welfare centre’s, and improve access to health care and nutrition for the 60,000 refugees living in camps in Tamilnadu, mainly women and children.

The funds will be managed by the Humanitarian Aid Office (ECHO) under the responsibility of Commissioner Poul Nielson and will be implemented through international organisations and Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) working in the target regions.

ECHO is also currently funding a €2 million mine action programme in Northern Sri Lanka. ECHO aid to the populations living in the conflict-affected areas of Sri Lanka and to the Sri Lankan refugees living in Tamilnadu since the ceasefire agreement has now topped €22.45 million.