Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government is aware about the rehabilitation of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Sri Lanka who were languishing in camps;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the number of people still remained in camps and the type of assistance given to the IDPs who were released from camps for their rehabilitation?

ANSWER THE MINISTER OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRI S.M. KRISHNA)

(a) to (c) Government of India attaches highest priority to the welfare and rehabilitation of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Northern Sri Lanka. Both the Governments have been holding regular discussions including at the highest levels on the issue of resettlement of IDPs. According to latest Government of Sri Lanka figures, as on April 15, 2010 over 1,94,595 IDPs have been resettled & around 77,131 are in the camps. Conditions for movement of the IDPs have been relaxed since December 1, 2009.

Government of India has taken several steps to provide for their welfare and assist in the rehabilitation. In June 2009, Prime Minister announced in Parliament that Rs 500 crore was earmarked for relief & rehabilitation in Sri Lanka. India established a field hospital in Pulmodai which treated over 50,000 displaced people from March-September 2009. A total Sri Lankan Rupees 225 million worth in medicines have been gifted to Sri Lanka. India has deployed seven demining teams for securing the area and to assist the early return of IDPs to their original areas of habitation. India has sent more than 5200 tons of shelter material for resettling IDP families in the North. To help revive the livelihood of the resettling IDPs, India has gifted 70,000 agricultural starters packs. India has also gifted 4 lakh cement bags for the use of resettling IDP families to help repair their houses. A reputed Indian NGO conducted a month-long artificial limb fitment camp in Northern Sri Lanka.

http://www.mea.gov.in/mystart.php?id=220216196.

Lok Sabha

Sri Lanka

South Asia