Brussels, 27/10/2006 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission has just allocated, in addition to the €7 million in July, a further €5 million in humanitarian aid to victims of the conflict and Sri Lankan refugees in Tamil Nadu, India. Funds will be channelled through the European Commission Humanitarian Aid Department (ECHO) and will cover basic needs, such as shelter, water, sanitation and healthcare, with particular focus on vulnerable groups. Over 250,000 are expected to benefit from this aid.
Commissioner Louis Michel stressed the increasing difficulties in distributing the aid and the upsurge in unacceptable attacks against humanitarian personnel. Those responsible for such attacks should be brought to justice and the “humanitarian space” should be maintained, he said. Since 1983, the conflict between the government and the rebels, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam has claimed the lives of 65,000 people and caused more than 800,000 people to be displaced. (lg)