Let us Proudly Commemorate International Year of Small Scale Fisheries & Aquaculture - 2022

Over 25,000 IDPs still in 38 welfare camps

IDPOver 25,000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) are still in welfare camps, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO) said at an event today.

In the event organized to draw attention to the several people still in displacement camps, the NGOs said that 25,328 IDPs are in 38 welfare camps in the Jaffna peninsula.

According to NAFSO and Praja Abhilasha (PA), there are 89.000 war widows, including women headed households in the north and east.

The NGO also noted that women have been suffering from various social issues while working in an insecure environment.

The NGOs noted that for their long term security the IDP returnees need support for obtaining legal ownership of their lands.

There are instances where some returnees find that their lands have been occupied by other settlers.

The NGOs urged the Government to provide basic services to IDPs before and during their resettlement phases until the rights of the IDPs and their issues on land have been fully restored. 

(Colombo Gazette)