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Press Release

30 January 2009


UK doubles humanitarian aid for Sri Lanka

Douglas Alexander, Secretary of State for International Development, today doubled the UK’s emergency humanitarian aid to the civilian population in Sri Lanka as the conflict between the Government and the Tamil Tigers (LTTE) escalates.

Douglas Alexander said:

“Currently, over 230,000 people are trapped between warring Government and Tamil Tiger forces and not enough aid is getting through to those who desperately need it. I urge both sides to declare an immediate humanitarian ceasefire and to allow evacuation of injured civilians and a safe corridor for aid supplies.

“I welcome the Sri Lankan President's assurance that civilians will have safe passage through the conflict zone to reach a secure environment. I urge all parties to make sure that this safe passage is implemented and that efforts are made to assist civilians to move away from danger.

“Other donors must consider providing additional humanitarian support for the thousands of innocent civilians caught up in this conflict.

“The £2.5 million announced today will ensure that emergency relief convoys can remain operational and that the International Committee of the Red Cross can continue its vital work protecting and assisting civilians in the conflict zone.”

The Department for International Development will send a team of experts to Sri Lanka in the coming days to assess the needs of civilians in the Vanni and to identify the priorities for UK funding.

The UK will continue to work through those international relief agencies that are operational in Sri Lanka.

Notes to editors

1. Sri Lanka has been in conflict for over 25 years. Over the last three to four months, the conflict in the Vanni has intensified, and it is estimated that over 230,000 people are trapped between Sri Lankan government and LTTE forces.

2. Only the International Committee of the Red Cross is able to keep a permanent presence in the Vanni.

3. In October 2008 DFID announced £2.5 million humanitarian assistance in Sri Lanka. This funding is broken down as follows:

  • £750,000 (International Committee of the Red Cross) – protection of civilians, emergency medical evacuations, treating wounded, providing shelter, water and sanitation.
  • £500,000 (United Nations High Commission for Refugees) – protection, provision of shelter for internally displaced people.
  • £250,000 (International Organisation of Migration) – providing humanitarian convoys into the Vanni.
  • £250,000 (World Food Programme) – transport and logistics support to transport food and other commodities into the Vanni.
  • £750,000 set aside for rapid response including setting up the UN-managed Sri Lanka Emergency Response Fund.

4. DFID contributes £1.5 million to a joint DFID/Ministry of Defence/Foreign and Commonwealth Office Peace Building Strategy and has provided £1.25 million over 2007-2008 in humanitarian assistance.

5. On Boxing Day 2004 the Indian Ocean Tsunami hit Sri Lanka, killing 35,000 people and displacing over 500,000.


For further information, contact Michael Haig on 020 7023 0423 or 020 7023 0600, e-mail pressoffice@dfid.gov.uk or call our Public Enquiries Point on 0845 300 4100.