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Increasing intimidation exacerbates displacement in Sri Lanka
28 Apr 2006 Earlier this week, thousands of people fled their homes following air strikes and unrest on the ground in northern and eastern parts of Sri Lanka. While reports now suggest the overall situation has stabilized in most parts of the conflict zone, UNHCR is calling for access to all those who have fled. It is also increasingly concerned about an emerging trend of intimidation which could cause those already displaced by the violence to flee government-run welfare centres. -
Post-tsunami housing crisis brings split couple happily together again
27 Dec 2005 The desire to rebuild a life again after the grief and loss of the tsunami has led to the happy reconciliation of a separated Sri Lankan couple. The unlikely catalyst for getting together again was the prospect of a UNHCR transitional shelter. -
UNHCR completes its post-tsunami shelter commitments in Sri Lanka
21 Dec 2005 In the immediate aftermath of last December's devastating tsunami, providing transitional shelter for the hundreds of thousands of Sri Lankans who had seen their homes dashed to pieces seemed a daunting task. However, UNHCR and its partner agencies have overcome many obstacles to complete the 55,000 shelters they promised. -
UNHCR says target of 55,000 tsunami shelters reached in Sri Lanka
22 Nov 2005 The UN refugee agency said on Tuesday that it has wound up its post-tsunami role as coordinator of a nation-wide transitional shelter effort in Sri Lanka, after the target of more than 55,000 shelters was achieved with the help of more than 100 non-governmental organizations. -
Sri Lankan tsunami survivors paint the town red ... and purple, and blue
25 Oct 2005 Almost all the more than 200,000 Sri Lankans left homeless by last December's tsunami have now been accommodated in so-called "transitional shelters" - a sort of half-way house between emergency accommodation and permanent new housing which will take a few more years to complete. Some of them are treating their new temporary homes with both imagination and respect. -
From Canada to Kabul: Afghan singer seeks to restore music education
15 Aug 2005 Amir Jan Saboori, one of the leading figures in Afghan folk music, has returned from his adopted home in Canada to visit Afghanistan in a bid to start music schools and to safeguard the future of traditional Afghan music. -
Sri Lankan tsunami victims get new temporary homes
8 Apr 2005 Tsunami-displaced families in Ampara district in eastern Sri Lanka started getting new homes on Thursday as the UN refugee agency handed over 42 temporary houses in Kalmunai as part of a pilot housing project. The task of providing temporary homes has been made more urgent with the onset of the monsoon rains which are forcing some displaced people out of their tents and into temples, churches and schools. -
Italian concert raises euros 1m for Sri Lanka's conflict and tsunami victims
22 Mar 2005 A star-studded concert featuring Italian artistes like Andrea Bocelli, Claudio Baglioni and Zucchero has raised 1 million euros for the UN refugee agency's assistance to people affected by the conflict and tsunami in Sri Lanka. -
UNHCR outlines post-tsunami role in Sri Lanka
4 Feb 2005 UNHCR's Asia Pacific bureau director, Janet Lim, has stated that the refugee agency will continue to assist conflict- and tsunami-displaced people in the north and east, with a shorter-term relief role in the south. She also emphasised the need for proper registration to better target aid.