The research in this study has been funded by International Alert and the National Lottery Charities Board (Community Fund). The publication of this study was made possible by a grant from the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust.
The authors would like to thank Eve Naftalin, Matt Suntag and Andrew Sherriff of International Alert for their support in the editing of this paper.

About the Authors

Jonathan Goodhand has worked for several years managing NGO programmes, conducting research and doing consultancy

COLOMBO (Reuters) - War-torn Sri Lanka was set to begin its first full cease-fire in nearly seven years at midnight on Monday, fueling renewed hopes that peace talks with Tamil Tiger separatists were around the corner.

The truce by both sides comes after the newly elected government said at the weekend it would match a holiday cease-fire declared by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), fighting since 1983 for a separate Tamil state in the north and east.

"It will commence from tonight," said military spokesman Brigadier Sanath Karunaratne.

BURUNDI: RESUMED FIERCE ATTACKS AROUND BUJUMBURA

Bujumbura and surrounding areas have been the scene of resumed heavy warfare in recent weeks, as the Burundian army seeks to push the rebel Forces of National Liberation (FNL) out of Tenga. The FNL occupied Tenga forest, 12km north-east of Bujumbura city, on 25 September last year.

Sources reported on 14 December: The advent of Christmas and New Year has not brought good news to Burundi.

Launched on lath August 2001 for CHF 1,258,427 for 6 months. Budget was revised in October to CHF 495,307 to cover the same original 6 months period.
DREF Allocated: CHF 100, 000

Beneficiaries: The original target of 39,000 beneficiaries was revised to 21,000 beneficiaries with the revised budget in October 2001.

Operations Update No. 3 Period covered: 1st November - 18th December 2001. Next Ops Update No. 4 expected 30th January 2002

"At a Glance"

Appeal coverage: 87.5%

Related Appeals: 01.33/2001 South Asia regional programmes

The Sri Lankan Parliament has been dissolved, with new elections scheduled for 5 December 2001. Campaign violence and an increase of military activity in the east and along lines in the Vanni have ended a period of relative calm, increasing risks for both civilians and combatants.

The recent increase in violence highlights the continuing need for ICRC activities in Sri Lanka. These focus on the domain of protection, but vary widely, fitting together within the ICRC's

FAO Director General Jacque Diouf has approved this under an emergency project using FAO's Technical Cooperation resources in response to a request by the Sri Lankan government to obtain assistance to restore the deteriorated socio-economic situation in Hambantota,

Launched on 13 August 2001 for CHF 1,258,427 for 6 months. Budget was revised in October to CHF 495,307 to cover the same original 6 months period.
DREF Allocated: CHF 100, 000

Beneficiaries: The original target of 39,000 beneficiaries was revised to 21,000 beneficiaries with the revised budget in October 2001.

Period covered: 13 September - 30 October 2001. Next Ops Update No. 3 expected 15 December 2001

"At a Glance"

Appeal coverage: 87.4%

Related Appeals: South Asia regional appeals 01.33/01; Sri Lanka 01.39/01

World Vision Sri Lanka launched a massive Relief program in October this year to assist nearly 60,000 people who have been affected by a 22 month drought in the Hambantota and Monaragala districts in the south of Sri Lanka.

Even though the country is experiencing