The Netherlands has pledged EUR 2 million (LKR 277,820,000) to
support two IOM programmes that are helping internally displaced
people (IDPs) to return home and reintegrating former LTTE Tamil
Tiger combatants into civil society.

The contribution of EUR 1 million to each programme will allow
IOM to continue to help families to return to their home areas in
the north and east of the country from Menik Farms and other
displacement camps in Vavuniya.

IOM has already moved over 190,000 IDPs from the Vavuniya camps,
but some 55,000 remain. The government wants them all to return to
their home areas by the end of August. 

The Dutch money will also go towards IOM provision of emergency
shelter, transitional homes, water and sanitation and job creation
in the conflict-ravaged communities to which the IDPs are
returning.

Announcing the contribution, Dutch Ambassador Leoni Cuelenaere
said: "It is important to help these people to return home safely
and with dignity. We hope that IOM's programme will meet their
immediate needs and provide them with a foundation from which they
can start to rebuild their lives and livelihoods."

IOM has already helped over 9,600 returning families to start
new livelihoods, by providing training, tools and small grants for
returnees working in agriculture, livestock rearing, fisheries and
small businesses.

The Dutch funding (EUR 1 million) will also support an IOM
programme designed to help reintegrate former LTTE Tamil Tiger
combatants into civil society.

IOM's Information, Counselling and Referral Service (ICRS),
which has been implemented in post-conflict situations in 25
countries worldwide over the past 20 years, is designed to help
former combatants and their families to return to civilian
life.

Its services include a detailed profiling of each former
soldier's individual needs, referrals to appropriate training
bodies or employers, financial assistance, tools and equipment, and
advice on how set up a small business.  

"The two programmes are designed to stabilize communities torn
apart by Sri Lanka's long running conflict, to encourage
reconciliation and to contribute to the peace and security that
this country needs for full economic recovery," says IOM Sri Lanka
Deputy Chief of Mission Lorena Lando.

"This is a major challenge that will need even more financial
and moral support from the international community. IOM is
committed to raising funds and working with the government and our
local and international partners to see it through to a successful
conclusion," she added.  

For further information, please contact:

Stacey Winston

IOM Sri Lanka

Tel:  +94 (0) 115325300

E-mail: "mailto:swinston@iom.int">swinston@iom.int