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The conflict, raging for more than two decades between the Sri Lankan Army and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam in the north and east of Sri Lanka has claimed tens of thousands of lives. It has also led to repeated and massive displacements of civilians.
The Way Forward
While the UNDAF is designed to address mainly development issues, the current conflict calls for a robust humanitarian and recovery capability. The UN Country Team addresses these issues in an annual strategic document called the Common Humanitarian Action Plan (CHAP).
In 2006 and 2007, the CHAP has, with generous donor support, and in collaboration with the government, and NGOs and other stakeholders, provided humanitarian assistance to an estimated 400,000 people who have been either displaced from their homes, or who are simply considered vulnerable because of the conflict. The 2008 CHAP appeals for USD 145 million to carry out its conflict-related assistance programmes.
Providing humanitarian assistance requires that the UN overcome major logistical and security constraints in the field. Significant progress has been made in recent years in providing a more coordinated response to emergencies through the Inter-Agency Standing Committee. This is a committee of all the key humanitarian actors, chaired by the UN’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in Sri Lanka (OCHA). Members include various UN agencies, as well as major non-governmental and intergovernmental humanitarian organizations.OCHA is instrumental is raising funds to assist thousands of people affected by human and man-made disasters in Sri Lanka. It also provides the humanitarian community with policy support by trying to make sure no major issues are forgotten. OCHA advocates on humanitarian issues, giving silent victims a voice and putting across the views and concerns of the broader humanitarian community. |
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