(Colombo, 26 August 2010):
The United Nations Resident/ Humanitarian Coordinator (RC/HC) Neil Buhne reiterated
the urgent need to stay the course in helping displaced persons and returned
communities when briefing donors assisting the work of humanitarian organizations
supporting Sri Lanka’s national efforts.
“The job is not yet done. It
is still a critical period and we ask for your continued support to meet the
remaining crucial needs” Buhne said. He also stressed that the effectiveness of
assistance during this period will affect both the people directly and Sri
Lanka’s overall development. “The welfare of the returned people, is an
important element in reconciliation and ultimately, sustainable peace and development”.
There has been substantial
progress over the last months and since late 2009, approximately 200,000 people
have returned to their villages in the North. Although a declining number of IDPs
[Internally Displaced Persons] are with host families, it is estimated that 70,000
remain displaced or are in transit sites near their home areas. Less than
35,000 IDPs remain in emergency sites.
Notable contributions to
humanitarian efforts come from demining actors of both government, and national
and international agencies, who have cleared and released land, paving the way
for the resettlement of the displaced. A shelter grant of US$ 220 (LKR 25,000)
per family has been received by 55,000 families along with an equal number of non-food
item kits. Four thousand permanent homes are under construction and a further
50,000 is pledged by the Indian Government.
So far in 2010, over 30,000
MT of food was provided to nearly 750,000 beneficiaries in the North who are
reliant on food assistance. However, rebuilding livelihoods and agricultural
productivity remains a common goal. Some 24,000 households have received poultry
and seeds, water pumps and crop sprayers to support the ongoing Yala season
cultivation of 10,600 acres. The upcoming Maha will target around 50,000
households and aims to cultivate 130,000 acres of abandoned land.
Combined efforts have ensured
that over 300,000 people have had access to safe water and sanitation
facilities. Common services such as health, nutrition and education have also
made significant improvements in effort to normalize life in return areas and
for those in camps.
Despite these real
achievements, returned persons remain vulnerable, needing support until
livelihoods are restored. Funding shortages have reduced the capacity to
deliver immediate assistance to the residual camp population and returning
communities. There are shortfalls for all sectors, but the largest are for work
on Economic Recovery and Infrastructure, Water and Sanitation, Agriculture and
Health.
Although generous donations
of about US$ 125 million have made these response operations possible, US$ 165
million more is needed to cover gaps for activities planned by the UN and
humanitarian organizations during the remainder of 2010 in support of the
national programmes.
Over the last year and a
half, through a broad partnership in support of Sri Lankan national efforts,
hundreds of thousands of people who had to flee from fighting to safety, were
given humanitarian assistance. The RC/HC says “Difficult, hard, and urgent work
was done.Lives were saved and people
helped to get back their strength to rebuild lives”, he added “funding for this
work came from the Government, people throughout Sri Lanka and from donor
governments. However, as all of us know, there is much more to be done -
recently returned people are still vulnerable”
End/
Japan, ADB Help Restore
Livelihoods of Families Affected by Sri Lanka Conflict
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of Japan are
providing financial assistance to help Sri Lanka restore infrastructure and
provide livelihood training for thousands of internally displaced people who
are returning to their homes following the end of the country’s civil conflict.
The Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction, administered by ADB, is extending a $2.5 million grant
for a project that will provide cash-for-work and skills training for at least
2,500 families in five conflicted-affected districts in the north of the
country. It will assist in the rebuilding of about 100 kilometers of rural
access roads and 200 kilometers of field irrigation canals, and will complement
the separate ADB-assisted, Conflict Affected Region Emergency (CARE)
Project, which is also
helping to rehabilitate damaged and neglected infrastructure.
The 30-year war
between the Government of Sri Lanka and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam in
the northern and eastern parts of the country forced tens of thousands of
people to flee their homes. With the end of the conflict in May 2009, those
displaced have started returning to their original areas of residence. However,
the damage to rural infrastructure, including irrigation systems, has deprived
them of the means of earning a living.
“The project
provides opportunities for vulnerable groups in resettled areas to get
immediate income from the repair of damaged infrastructure, as well as skills
training for future livelihood activities,” said K. M. Tilakaratne, Senior
Project Implementation Officer in ADB’s Sri Lanka Resident Mission.
The cash-for-work
program will provide jobs for about at least 2,500 resettled people to restore
and maintain irrigation systems and access roads in the districts of Jaffna,
Killinochchi, Mannar, Mullaitivu and Vavuniya. A further 2,000 of these people
will get training in modern sustainable agricultural production practices, the
marketing of farm goods, food processing and other self-employment skills.
Selection for the two activities will be limited to one eligible male, or
female member of each resettled family.
The project has a
number of innovative features, with those in the cash-for-work program required
to open savings accounts and deposit 25% of their incomes for use in future
livelihood creation activities. Community-based organizations will be set up at
the resettlement villages to oversee the project, and since most villagers have
no experience with banks, they will hold savings passbooks over the course of
the program to ensure participants comply with the deposit requirement. At
least 50% or more of those selected for the work program and skills development
training will be women.
Along with the
Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction Grant, the Government of Sri Lanka will
provide assistance of $150,000, with communities making an in-kind contribution
of $137,500 for a total project cost of $2.78 million. The Ministry of Economic
Development is the executing agency for the project which will be implemented
over 30 months with an expected completion date of December 2012.
Colombo, Sri Lanka (19
August).Today the United Nations and the broader humanitarian
community observed World Humanitarian Day in a ceremony at the UN compound. Hon.
Basil Rajapaksa, Minister of Economic Development, attended on behalf of the
Government and thanked the community for the support provided to Sri Lankans in
need.
World Humanitarian Day was designated by the
General Assembly in December 2008 ‘to remember the millions of people globally affected
by natural disasters, war, sickness and malnutrition and those working to
relieve their suffering’.
This year’s theme ‘We are humanitarian
workers’ draws attention to the diversity of aid workers around the world and
the humanitarian principles that frame the work done on behalf of those
affected.‘It is
important to improve awareness of and respect for the principles of
humanitarian work, including humanity, impartiality, neutrality and
independence’, said Mr.
Neil Buhne, UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator.
Similar to other countries affected by
natural disaster and conflict, Sri Lanka has faced many hardships. Over 35,000
lives were lost, while homes, livelihoods and infrastructure were devastated in
the December 2004 tsunami. Additionally every year, thousands of Sri Lankans
are affected by flooding caused by heavy monsoonal rains.
This year, Sri Lanka observes World
Humanitarian Day with hope and expectation for a peaceful future. ‘We hope to
reach a common final target where we all live in peace,’ noted Hon. Minister
Rajapaksa in his address to the humanitarian community. He thanked donors and
humanitarian workers for their generosity and support to return both the recent
and long-term displaced.
World Humanitarian Day has its origins in
Iraq where the UN office was bombed on 19 August 2003 and 22 people lost their
lives. On this second annual World Humanitarian Day, we remember the many
humanitarian workers who have been killed or injured in their line of work.
Last year alone, 102 humanitarian workers around the world lost their lives,
278 were victims of serious security incidents and 92 were kidnapped in the
course of their work.
Connecting People
to Prosperity and Improving Basic Services are key to Sri Lanka’s economic
prosperity, says World Bank
Colombo, August 9, 2010: Enabling people to seek economic opportunities,
improving the quality of basic services across all regions, and
targeting interventions to stimulate economic growth in selected lagging
areas can lead to rapid and geographically inclusive growth in Sri Lanka,
says a new World Bank report “Sri Lanka: Reshaping Economic
Geography: Connecting People to Prosperity.”
The report launched today uses the framework of World
Development Report 2009, “Reshaping Economic Geography.” Applying this
framework to the case of Sri Lanka, it identifies challenges and presents
policy options for economic integration using a calibrated combination of
institutional changes, infrastructure investments and other interventions.
“Sri Lanka’s development journey to
middle income statuscan still be
inclusive if people who start their lives in lagging regions of the country can
be connected to leading areas where there are economic opportunities,” says
Naoko Ishii, World Bank Country Director for Sri Lanka and the Maldives. “However,
targeted interventions aimed at simply relocating economic activities to
lagging areas can in reality slow down economic progress because workers and
firms earn higher returns when located close to the international gateway and
to similar businesses.”
The report shows that Sri Lanka’s economic
geography is being reshaped as land uses change to accommodate higher value
production, as people seek economic opportunities through both internal and
external migration, and as the country moves from specializing in primary
products to manufacturing.
While economic production has become
concentrated, Sri Lanka’s public policies have been remarkably successful in
leveling social welfare and preparing the ground for inclusive development.
Poverty has come down in all provinces and service delivery in education,
basic healthcare, and basic infrastructure including water and sanitation is
dispersed throughout the country.
“Sri Lanka needs to build on what has
already being achieved anddesign and implement more ambitious policies
to improve living standards across provinces,amplifying but not
dampening the processes of geographic transformation, ”says Somik V.
Lall, Co-author and Senior Economist, World Bank . “The need is to
prioritize how policies can be attuned to the scale of challenge of integration
facing different areas.”
Chapter one of the report looks at unbalanced
growth and inclusive development and examines the geography of production and
living standards. Presenting statistical data the report identifies the
need to reduce regional disparities in health and education outcomes to improve
human development outcomes. Despite the country’s laudable achievements
in delivering health and education services, gaps in geographical pockets and
vulnerable groups remain. While commending overall literacy and gender
equality, the report shows that there are large differences in learning
outcomes across regions.
Chapter two examines transformation of land use,
mobility of people, and flow of products that are the drivers of geographic
transformation. The focus is on identifying key constraints that impinge on the
fluidity in the markets for land, labor and products that restrict land use
change and workers access to economic opportunities and products traded across
locations. While identifying infrastructure as a key driver of transport
costs the report examines the high cost of transporting goods in Sri Lanka.
Insights are provided to understand how deregulation of the trucking industry
reduced costs in France. The report also looks at how internal migration
benefits lagging regions through remittances flow and a “wage-pull” effect, as
excess lower skilled labor in one area migrates to another.
Finally, Chapter three analyses and
uses data and poverty maps and stresses the importance of ensuring that basic
services are available everywhere; the need for improving infrastructure to
connect lagging and leading regions and the essential requirement of targeting
interventions in selected lagging areas. The report identifies
public policy priorities for improving living standards across different areas
and categorizes them as:
· Spatially blind policies of institutions that are not explicitly designed with spatial
considerations like the tax system, intergovernmental fiscal relations,
governance of land and housing markets as well as education, health care, basic
water and sanitation and other public service initiatives;
· Spatially connective policies refer to infrastructure investments such as basic
business service, public transportation and utilities such as interregional
highways, railroads to promote trade in goods and improving information
communication technologies to increase the flow of knowledge; and Spatially targeted policies to stimulate economic growth in lagging areas.
These measures include investment subsidies, tax rebates, local
regulations, local infrastructure development and targeted investment climate
reforms, such as special regulations for export processing zones.
In conclusion the report states that by making
efforts along these dimensions, policymakers can help in unifying Sri Lanka.
Although geography of production will get further unbalanced, the
geography of living standards will become more uniform. The hope is that this
transformation will lead to accelerated economic growth and enhanced social
harmony.
###
Colombo, 13 July 2010
- The European Union (EU), through its implementing partner the International
Organization for Migration (IOM), provides a new water supply system for the
community of Ihalagama, in the Ampara district under its Community Livelihood
Support Programme.
The
water supply system includes a water tank with a capacity of 60,000 liters and
a pipeline supply system providing water for a distance of 11.6 km from Medagama
to Ihalagama.
“Rocky
terrain and groundwater salinity in the area meant that historically the
Ihalagama community had great difficulty securing adequate water supplies for
household needs, let alone livelihood activities.”, says Nicola Rounce,
Programme Manager of the Community Livelihood Support Programme. “We are delighted
to have been able to alleviate such a significant lack with the provision of
this permanent supply system to the people of Ihalagama” Rounce adds.
The
water supply system, which covers the whole village and directly supports over
900 beneficiaries, was handed over to the Mahaweli Authority on Tuesday, July
13th 2010.
The EU funded IOM
implemented Community Livelihood Support Programme, operates in the Ampara district
and serves over a third of the district’s population. The programme primarily aims
to provide social development and livelihood support to communities that have
suffered the effects of the 2004 tsunami and the impact
from years of conflict.
__________________________ENDS______________________________________________ For more information contact Nicola Rounce, nrounce@iom.int, 0773184465, Duminda Perera, dperera@iom.int,
0772 518 770 , 063 222 4393 (Ext: 209), Or Passanna Gunasekera, 5325 300 (Ext 341),
pgunasekera@iom.int
Colombo, Wednesday
23 June – As India and Sri Lanka prepare for the Micromax Asia Cup
final - Captain of the Sri Lankan team Kumar Sangakkara and bowler Muthiah Murralitharan
took time off to speak to children from Matale, about good nutrition,
sanitation and girls' education.
"We
are very excited to lend our voices to this noble effort and create awareness
about what is happening to our children because we don't just care about
cricket, we are fathers, we are husbands, we are brothers and we really care
about our communities. This for us is the ultimate Hat Trick - it goes beyond
everything,” said Sangakkara.
Last
week at a joint press conference held by the Asian Cricket Council and UNICEF,
the captains of the four nations competing for the Micromax Asia Cup, endorsed
the Healthy Hat-Trick: invest in good nutrition, sanitation and girls’
education – three critical interventions to save children’s lives.
UNICEF
Sri Lanka Representative, Philippe Duamelle, said: “It was great to see Sri
Lanka’s Farveez Maharoof take the first Hat-Trick of the tournament. When it
comes to the Healthy Hat-Trick for children, Sri Lanka has made great progress
- investing in girls' education and sanitation, however, challenges in
nutrition still remain.”
The
ACC and UNICEF called on governments and communities to join the cricketers and
commit themselves to take bold action for children.
“Cricketers are not just
sportsmen. They are champions, champions for children, champions for change,”
said Syed Ashraful Huq, CE of ACC.
Three
million children under the age of five die in South Asia each year from
malnutrition and diseases related to poor sanitation. While educating girls is crucial
to the survival and health of children and families.
Sri Lankan Spinner Muttiah
Muralitharan speaks to children about the importance of good nutrition,
sanitation and girls education at the Dambulla stadium. UNICEF Sri Lanka/ Suzanne Davey
About UNICEF UNICEF is on the ground in over 150 countries and
territories to help children survive and thrive, from early childhood through
adolescence.The world’s largest
provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and
nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and
girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and
AIDS.UNICEF is funded entirely by the
voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and
governments.
About The ACC The Asian Cricket Council was founded in 1983 and is the leading
development body for cricket in Asia. Coaching programs, youth and senior
tournaments for men and women, infrastructure development and facilities
provision across its 22 members are funded by the revenues generated by the
biennial Asia Cup and the development fund of the International Cricket
Council.
For
more information:
UNICEF Sri Lanka:
Mervyn Fletcher, Chief
of Communications, mfletcher@unicef.org, +94 0777 236 548
Suzanne Davey, Communication
Officer, sdavey@unicef.org, +94773165378
Asian Cricket
Council:
Shahriar Khan,
Media Manager, media@asiancricket.org, +60125221568
UNICEF hands
over new schools in Sri Lanka
Four
hundred and twenty million Sri Lankan rupees invested in six schools in the east
of the country
Share| COLOMBO,
June 22, 2010 – UNICEF Sri Lanka handed over six new schools to local
communities in eastern Sri Lanka during two days of official ceremonies.
The six
schools represent a total investment of 420 million rupees (3.8 million US
dollars) and will benefit thousands of pupils and families.
UNICEF Sri
Lanka Representative Philippe Duamelle said: “These schools represent hope for
the communities after years of being blighted by the consequences of the 2004 tsunami
and civil conflict.
“UNICEF, in
partnership with the Sri Lankan government, is committed to ensure every child
has access to education this means addressing the needs of the more remote
communities such as these.”
The six
schools form a ribbon along the east coast, in Ampara district. They are
located in: Thirukovil, Sinnamugatuvaram, Kalmunai, Santhamaruthu, Maruthamuni,
and Kalmunaikudy.
The school
handing-over ceremonies were attended by pupils, teachers, parents, government
and community dignitaries and the Provincial Minister of Education (Eastern
Province). All were treated to performances of traditional Tamil dances, songs
and marches by school bands.
Each school
has been built to ‘child-friendly school’ specifications. This means a high quality
of construction, separate toilets for boys and girls, hand-washing facilities,
and access for children with special needs.
UNICEF’s
investment in the schools also includes providing furniture and learning
materials.
These
schools are part of UNICEF’s support for Sri Lanka in the continuing efforts to
ensure the right of children to an education is fulfilled.
***ENDS***
For more information contact UNICEF Sri Lanka
Chief of Communication Mervyn Fletcher on 0777 236548, mfletcher@unicef.org, or Communication
Officer Suzanne Davey, on 0773165378, sdavey@unicef.org
The
Government of Sri Lanka in collaboration with the International Labour Organization
(ILO) is inaugurating a conference on `zero
worst forms of child labour by 2016 – sharing experiences to achieve the goal’
today, with the launch of the Global Report on Child Labour.
More
than 450 delegates from 80 member states of the International Labour Organization,
meeting in The Hague on 10th and 11th May, agreed on a
global Roadmap aimed at ‘substantially increasing’ global efforts to eliminate
the worst forms of child labour by 2016.In response to this global commitment, during this Conference in The
Hague, the Sri Lankan government represented by Hon. Gamini Lokuge, Minister of
Labour Relations and Productivity Promotion, pledged to eliminate the worst
forms of child labour by 2016.
The
Government also presented a Road Map for the elimination of the worst forms of
child labour by 2016, which details a process of mainstreaming into State
interventions the prevention, withdrawal, rehabilitation and reintegration of
children who have been engaged in the worst forms of child labour. While the
lead ministry in this issue is the Ministry of Labour Relations and
Productivity Promotion, all stakeholder ministries, district secretaries,
provincial councils and law enforcement will need to come together in
partnership with the international community to eradicate this particular form
of abuse of Sri Lankan children.
Press Conference - Opening Remarks by B. Lynn Pascoe, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs
Colombo, 17 June 2010 - The Secretary-General asked me to
come here this week – my third visit in just over a year – to discuss a wide
range of issues with the leaders of Sri Lanka. I depart this evening confident
that the visit has strengthened our partnership with Sri Lanka.I appreciate the many useful discussions I
had both here in the capital and during a trip yesterday to the former war zone
in the North.
Just over a year has now passed since the end
of the armed conflict and since the Secretary-General’s visit in May 2009.That visit demonstrated the UN’s commitment
to work with Sri Lanka.The
Secretary-General’s joint statement with President Rajapaksa provided an
excellent framework for cooperation, focusing particularly on three key post war
challenges: the return and resettlement of IDPs, political reconciliation, and
human rights accountability.
I had a good meeting yesterday with President
Rajapaksa, and have also held discussions with the cabinet officials
responsible for foreign relations, defence, and economic development, as well
as the Attorney General.I have been
able to meet with leaders of the political opposition, Tamil and Muslim
representatives, civil society organizations including human rights and womens
groups, and with members of the diplomatic corps.
My trip yesterday to Mullaitivu District
provided a firsthand look at the continuing efforts to resettle the hundreds of
thousands of people who were forced to flee their homes during the
conflict.The United Nations agencies
and their dedicated staff, national and international, are playing a
significant part in that effort under the leadership of Resident Coordinator
Neil Buhne.They are working tirelessly
under difficult conditions to help the people of Sri Lanka normalize and
improve their lives.
I will report to the Secretary-General upon
return to NY, but let me now share with you some the key points I take away
from this visit:
First, the urgency of taking steps toward political
reconciliation.Bitterness and division
that took decades to accumulate will not dissolve overnight in Sri Lanka, but
now is the time to make major efforts to begin healing these wounds.The end of the conflict must be followed by a
political solution that addresses the issues and grievances that fuelled the
war.
The government has taken some measures to
indicate a shift from war footing to a peacetime mindset, and we encourage
further steps in that direction. The partial relaxation of emergency decrees
was an important action.Opportunities
could be taken to diminish the military presence in the former conflict areas. It
is also critical to safeguard the independence of institutions, freedom of the
press and the work of non-governmental organizations.This would send an important message.
A second priority is to successfully conclude
the resettlement process and to bring economic opportunity to the former war
zones in the North.The United Nations
appreciates the government’s efforts thus far, supported by the international
community.Much has been achieved in
moving people from the camps back home as well as improving the living
conditions of those who have returned.We also welcome the greater ease with which UN agencies and NGOs can now
work in the former conflict zones, and the important progress in clearing mines
from these areas.
In the areas of Mullaitivu I travelled to
yesterday, local officials were working energetically on behalf of the
returnees.Children are attending
school, and people have food and access to basic health care.One of the biggest concerns was the lack of
building materials and to reconstruct homes and repair roofs.Progress aside, approximately 60,000 people
remain in camps, and 90,000 with host families; it is important to ensure their
return takes place in dignified conditions.Much more work lies ahead.
A third issue covered in the joint statement is
accountability for the allegations of humanitarian and human rights violations
during the conflict.
Responsibility for carrying out a credible
process that meets international standards rests first and foremost with the
authorities of Sri Lanka.Government
officials have assured me that the Lessons Learned and Reconciliation
Commission will provide Sri Lankans with a credible and independent
accountability mechanism.
We will be interested in its progress. The
Secretary-General intends soon to establish a Panel of Experts that will advise
him on international standards and comparative experiences with accountability.It will also be available as a resource that
the Sri Lankans can turn to should they wish.
In conclusion, I would like to emphasize the
strong friendship and partnership between the United Nations and Sri
Lanka.We are engaged on many difficult
and sensitive issues.We do not always
agree.But as we move forward with our
assistance in this post-conflict period, the United Nations will continue to be
driven each day by a desire to help build a better future for the people of Sri
Lanka. Ends./
Dambulla, Sri
Lanka, Thursday 17 June –Captains
of four of the biggest cricket playing nations in the world – India, Pakistan,
Sri Lanka and Bangladesh - took time out from the Micromax Asia Cup here today to
commit themselves to playing for a hat trick of another kind, “Cricket’s
Healthy Hat trick”.
At a
joint press conference between the Asian Cricket Council and UNICEF, the United
Nations Children’s Fund, the message to governments and communities was: invest
in a healthy hat trick – good nutrition, sanitation and girls’ education – three
critical interventions to save children’s lives.Three
million children under the age of five die in South Asia each year from malnutrition and diseases related to poor sanitation.
Educating girls is also key to the survival and health of children and families.
“There is a great energy propelling this
region forward at the moment. South Asia is a potential powerhouse, we have seen
strong economic growth but this has not yet been translated into improving the lives of women and
children,” said Philippe Duamelle, Representative of UNICEF Sri Lanka. “Almost half of all children under five years old in
the region are undernourished, and if nothing is done about this their future
will effectively be bowled out.”
The ACC
and UNICEF called on governments and communities to join the cricketers and
commit themselves to take bold action for children.
“Cricketers are
not just sportsmen. They are champions, champions for children, champions for
change,” said Syed Ashraful Huq, CE of ACC “Like in any world class cricket
match a hat trick is that rare and magical formula we all aim for. Investing in
a Healthy Hat
Trick, good nutrition and sanitation and girls education, is the ultimate for
children and for cricketers.”
About UNICEF UNICEF is on the ground in over 150 countries and
territories to help children survive and thrive, from early childhood through
adolescence.The world’s largest
provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and
nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and
girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and
AIDS.UNICEF is funded entirely by the
voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and
governments.About The
ACC The
Asian Cricket Council was founded in 1983 and is the leading development body
for cricket in Asia. Coaching programs, youth and senior tournaments for men
and women, infrastructure development and facilities provision across its 22
members are funded by the revenues generated by the biennial Asia Cup and the
development fund of the International Cricket Council.
Under-Secretary-General
for Political Affairs begins visit to Sri Lanka
Colombo, 16 June 2010 - The
United Nations’ top political official, Under-Secretary-General for
Political
Affairs B. Lynn Pascoe, began a two-day visit to Sri Lanka today as part
of the UN’s
continuing attention to post-war challenges facing the country.
He held meetings in Colombo with President
Mahinda Rajapaksa, Minister of External Affairs G.L. Peiris, and
Attorney
General Mohan Peiris, and was scheduled to meet later in the evening
with Ranil
Wickremasinghe, Leader of the Opposition and Tiran Alles, MP, Democratic
National Alliance.
Under-Secretary-General Pascoe
also visited areas around Mullaitivu town in the North, close to where
the last
battles of the conflict were waged in May 2009 and where, today, people
who
fled their homes during the armed conflict are being resettled with
assistance
from the government, the United Nations agencies and non-governmental
organizations.He was briefed on
progress as well as difficulties in the resettlement process in the
District,
home today to a resettled population of more than 40,000.He received a
briefing from the army in
Kumarapuram on the state of mine clearance from the former war zones.
At a health clinic in the village
of Vattapallai, Under-Secretary-General Pascoe met with a group of
mothers with
young children who had been resettled to the area three months ago. “The
United
Nations is doing everything it can to help you get back to a normal life
now
that this tragic war is over,” he assured the women.USG Pascoe also
visited a cooperative store
where food rations supplied through the United Nations are distributed
to the
resettled populations in the North.
Under-Secretary-General Pascoe’s
visit is focused on issues covered in the joint statement issued by
United
Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and President Rajapaksa in May
2009,
including political reconciliation, the return and resettlement of IDPs,
and
human rights.
USG Pascoe concludes his visit
with additional meetings Thursday with senior government officials,
representatives of opposition and minority parties including Tamil and
Muslim
leaders, civil society, media and members of the diplomatic corps.
Ends./
Sri
Lanka model developing country, but challenges in industrial, export sectors
remain, says UNIDO Director-General
Colombo,
11 June 2010 - The Director-General of the United Nations Industrial
Development Organization (UNIDO), Kandeh K. Yumkella, said today that even as a
model developing country Sri Lanka still faces challenges in industrial and
export growth.
“Sri Lanka
is seen as a model developing country," said Yumkella, who is on a
three-day visit to the country.
"In
the industrial sector it has demonstrated the ability to compete globally in
selected sectors. This is a sound platform to build upon. UNIDO has provided
significant support to the industrial sector, international accreditation of
laboratories which assisted Sri Lankan industry to compete globally. We are
using the Sri Lankan capacity built as South-South training models.
"
But
according to Yumkella, Sri Lanka faces several challenges in industrial and
export sectors due to stiff competition from countries in the region. "One
key challenge is the logistic performance and infrastructure," said
Yumkella.
During his
visit, Director-General Yumkella met Prime Minister D.M. Jayarathna, the
Minister of Industry and Commerce, Rishad Bathiyutheen, and the Deputy Minister
of External Affairs, Geethanjana Gunawardene.
They
discussed the industrialization of Sri Lanka especially in the Northern and
Eastern provinces where the Government and UNIDO are jointly promoting small
and medium industries to provide employment and economic empowerment to some
40,000 war widows. Technology transfer, value addition, developing renewable
energy sources, youth employment and training were also on the agenda.
He called
for "an intelligent use of standards and labeling schemes", adding
that the UNIDO initiated ISO energy-efficiency management system standard ISO
50001, as an emerging requirement to demonstrate enterprise-level energy
efficiency.
The
Director-General delivered a keynote address at the Asia Pacific Roundtable for
Sustainable Consumption, taking place in Colombo from 10 to 12 June, and participated
in a panel discussion on Policy Directions and Capacity Building for Industry
Growth at a workshop on Industrial Development Challenges in the 21st Century
organized by the Ceylon National Chamber of Industries.
After
visiting a number of UNIDO-assisted projects in Sri Lanka that deal with trade
capacity building and cleaner production, Yumkella said: "I was pleased to
see that the institutions built under the projects are sustainable, have
resulted in significant increase in revenue and moreover have led to
South-South cooperation."
UNIDO
supports laboratories in Sri Lanka’s Industrial Technology Institute and the
Textile Training and Services Centre, which have provided training to countries
in the region, including Bangladesh, Cambodia, Maldives, Pakistan and Vietnam.
For more
information, please contact:
Ravindra
Wickremasinghe, UNIDO Communications
Mobile:
+43 699 1459 7776
UNICEF and WFP launch ground breaking
report on nutrition and food security in Sri Lanka
Colombo 8 June 2010 – A Nutrition and Food Security Survey report was
released today as part of a joint effort with the Ministry of Health, UNICEF and WFP. This is the
first survey to assess the underlying causes of malnutrition in Sri Lanka and the related impact of the
increase in global food prices.
The UNICEF and WFP funded survey
revealed that there are significant disparities between different regions of
the country. While incidence of stunting and underweight was higher in rural
areas such as the estate sector and Hambantota, wasting was found to be higher
in urban areas including Colombo.
“This survey highlights the importance
of targeted food and nutrition interventions to reach those most at risk of
malnutrition, especially women and children” said UNICEF Representative,
Philippe Duamelle at the launch event.
While Sri Lanka is largely on track to
attaining most of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), significant challenges
relating to poverty and child malnutrition remain including socio-economic and
regional disparities, and the quality of public health care.
The WFP Representative for Sri Lanka,
Adnan Khan said “Effective joint nutrition interventions are required at all
levels in order to reduce the proportion of people suffering from hunger and
under-nutrition and achieve the MDGs”.
By reducing hunger and malnutrition, Sri
Lanka will also be able to achieve the MDGs related to child mortality,
maternal health, primary education, gender equality, and HIV/AIDS.
The Nutrition and Food Security Survey
was carried out by the Medical Research Institute (MRI) with funding from
UNICEF and WFP.
The World Food Programme (WFP) and the
United Nations Children’s Fund
(UNICEF) have a 40 year long history in
Sri Lanka in supporting programmes to reduce maternal and child malnutrition
and micronutrient deficiencies.
Both agencies will continue to support
the Government in addressing the issues highlighted in the Nutrition and Food Security
survey.
For more information please contact:
Suzanne Davey,
Communication Officer,
UNICEF
Mobile: 94-77 3165378,
Office: 94-11-2768555
Hundreds of thousands of people took to the
streets in cities around the world on Sunday June 06 to show their support for
the work of the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) in the fight against
global hunger.
The annual ‘End Hunger: Walk the World’ initiative mobilized an estimated 150,000
to raise awareness and funds for WFP’s school meals programmes. At least 160 walks
took place in 70 countries across all 24 time zones.
“This was our first walk event in two years,
yet the eagerness and enthusiasm with which took part was simply tremendous,”
said Adnan Khan, WFP Country Representative. “With this walk we have taken further
steps to raise awareness of child hunger – a global battle - calling for proper
nutrition to help future generations learn and grow
strong.”
Now in its eighth year, Walk the World is
sponsored by three of WFP’s global private sector partners: global mail service
TNT, consumer goods company
Unilever, and nutrition and life-science specialists DSM.
“In an incredible wave of solidarity, the
world came forward to say that child hunger is totally unacceptable,” said
Josette Sheeran, WFP’s Executive Director, adding that Walk the World is an
excellent example of how global partnerships, including those with the private
sector, can make a huge impact in the fight against hunger.
Despite
rain showers at the inauguration ceremony, the 'Hunger Train' departed from
Colombo Fort station carrying special guests: the Minister of Economic
Development, Basil Rajapakse, Minister of Education, Bandula Gunawardena, UN
Resident Coordinator Neil Buhne, WFP Country Representative, Adnan Khan,
winners of WFP’s school meals beneficiary drawing competition, and employees of
WFP, Unilever, TNT and Perera and Sons.
The train
was greeted in Negombo by the town’s mayor, the Western Province Tourism
Minister, the deputy Minister of State Resources and Enterprise Development and
members of WFP’s sponsor group, the Negombo Hoteliers Association. Kandyan
dancers, marching bands, including an all female band, dressed in red, white
and gold silk saris playing flutes and drums, accompanied the hundreds of men,
women and child walkers.
Around the
world, thousands of people also showed their support of the event through the
online community at wfp.org/walktheworld, where fans can post pictures and
videos, as well as participating in a virtual walk by making a donation. A photo competition for the best pictures from walks
around the world is running until 11 June.
###
WFP is the world's
largest humanitarian agency and the UN’s frontline agency for hunger solutions.
Every year, WFP brings food to an average of 90 million people in about 70
countries.
TNT is a global mail and express delivery
company serving more than 200 countries. Since 2002, they have been an active
partner of WFP and to date have invested over $50 million in the
partnership.TNT
founded Walk the World in 2003 as an engagement event for its employees.
Unilever is
one of the world’s leading suppliers of fast-moving consumer goods with strong
local roots in more than 100 countries across the globe. Unilever joined forces
with WFP in January 2007 to improve the nutrition and health of poor,
school-aged children around the world.
DSM is
a life sciences and materials sciences company. In April 2007, DSM and WFP
joined forces to ensure the nutritional needs of WFP beneficiaries are met
through the creation of cost-effective micronutrient interventions to improve
the general food basket.
