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Fighting makes it difficult for Sri Lankans to find safety and for UNHCR to deliver aid
15 Aug 2006 Civilians continue to flee heavy fighting in the north and east of Sri Lanka, but many find their path to safety blocked. The UN refugee agency is also finding it difficult to deliver emergency aid in some parts of the island state. -
UNHCR helps thousands fleeing fighting in north-east Sri Lanka
8 Aug 2006 The UN refugee agency, with the help of local aid agencies, has been assisting thousands of people fleeing the latest outbreak of fighting between government forces and the rebel Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in north-east Sri Lanka. -
UNHCR concerned about civilians caught in Sri Lanka fighting
4 Aug 2006 The UN refugee agency on Friday said it was concerned about the safety of civilians caught in the middle of escalated fighting between the Sri Lankan government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam. The situation was particularly worrying in Trincomalee district, where the conflict has caused displacement, injury and loss of life and property among all ethnic communities. -
UNHCR chief says only peace can provide solution for Sri Lanka's displaced
27 Jul 2006 On a three-day visit to Sri Lanka, UN High Commissioner for Refugees António Guterres called for confidence-building measures to make it possible for hundreds of thousands of people displaced by years of civil war to go home if they choose. -
Sri Lankan agency builds new shelters in Jaffna despite security problems
25 Jul 2006 Despite the deteriorating security situation in northern and eastern Sri Lanka, a UNHCR-funded organisation in Jaffna is pushing ahead with construction of new shelters for people displaced or made homeless during years of conflict. The Jaffna Social Action Centre is building or upgrading more than 450 shelters across the Jaffna peninsula. -
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.