Sri Lanka, Tamil Nadu get Rs 82 cr aid from European Commission

New Delhi, July 26 (UNI) The European Commission has allocated Euro 15 million (Rs 82.5 crore) humanitarian package to the help conflict-affected people in Sri Lanka and Sri Lankan refugees in Tamil Nadu.

While doing so, the Commission appealed to both the conflicting parties to halt their pursuance of a military solution and bring back peace and prosperity to Sri Lanka.

The aid package includes Euro 3 million for meeting the basic needs of shelter, water, sanitation, food security and healthcare, the Commission said, adding projects will be implemented by various NGOs, UN agencies and the International Red Cross.

Funds are being channelled through the European Commission Humanitarian Aid department (ECHO).

Since 2004, the Commission has given a total of Euro 79 million in aid for victims of humanitarian crises in Sri Lanka, including Euro 3 million of food aid and Euro 42 million for the tsunami victims.

European Commissioner Louis Michel, who will supervise funds distribution through ECHO, said '' The Commission is extremely worried by the increase in violence that is affecting Sri Lanka.

The brutality of the conflict is appalling and there are major violations of international humanitarian law by both sides.'' Stating that thousands of innocent civilians are caught up in the conflict, Michel said, at least 30 aid workers have been killed SINCE aPRIL 2006. '' The humanitarian space is diminishing. This is unacceptable,'' he added.

The Commissioner said '' security and access constraints hamper the implementation of humanitarian operations. Aid agencies need to have access to victims with full security and protection for their personnel. I urge both parties involved to respect international humanitarian law, to halt their pursuance of a military solution and to bring back peace and prosperity to Sri Lanka.'' Since 1983, the conflict between the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and the Sri Lankan government in the North and East of the country, has claimed more than 70,000 lives. Around 800,000 people have been internally displaced during almost 25 years of conflict. A further 100,000 Sri Lankan Tamils have fled to refugee camps in neighbouring India. As many as 4,500 people have been killed in the last 12 months, including at least 1,500 civilians.

UNI