The International Federation's mission is to improve the lives of vulnerable people by mobilising the power of humanity. The Federation is the world's largest humanitarian organization, and its millions of volunteers are active in over 180 countries. All international assistance to support vulnerable communities seeks to adhere to the Code of Conduct and the Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in Disaster Response, according to the SPHERE Project.

According to a statement issued by the State Department, the deputy secretary said that "the current domestic political crisis, precipitated in Colombo during the Prime Minister's Washington visit, will have a negative impact on the peace process until a clarification

Norway is to contribute US$450,000 (NOK 3 million) to an IOM pilot project designed to help reintegrate 2,500 Sri Lankan ex-combatants into civilian life.

The project, which is expected to start in January 2004, will comprise an Information, Counselling and Referral Service with Reintegration Fund, and will contribute to consolidating the peace process between the Government of Sri Lanka and the Tamil Tigers (LTTE.)

The beneficiaries will include ex-combatants

AMPARA - October 2003
General Situation

The general situation is calm. The harvesting time is over and preparations are being made for the maha season.

Representatives from USAID and the Batticaloa office of ZOA visited the CHA District Information Office during the month.

Issues of Resettlement and Relocation

Thagavelauthapuram

His comrades in the transit camp run

COLOMBO, Dec 10 (AFP) - A fresh round of talks between Sri Lanka's president and the prime minister failed to end a month-old power struggle that undermined a Norwegian-backed peace bid with Tamil rebels, officials said.

The two squabbling leaders met for nearly two hours but failed to sink their differences.

"There was no conclusion on any of the key matters," a source close to the talks said. "There is no agreement on another round of talks either."

Premier Ranil Wickremesinghe went to

In Brief

Appeal coverage: 34%; See attached Contributions List for details.

Outstanding needs: CHF 780,045

Related Emergency or Annual Appeals: 13/2003 Flooding and Landslides

COLOMBO, Dec 4 (AFP) - Japan Thursday warned Sri Lanka that it would jeopardise 4.5 billion dollars in foreign aid if the Colombo government did not end a bitter power struggle and revive the peace process with Tamil rebels.

Japanese Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi in a statement released here said Tokyo had been following the political battle between the president and the prime minister over the last month "with serious apprehensions."

"The government of Japan reminds all the parties concerned of the importance to maintain the momentum of

MANILA, PHILIPPINES (3 December 2003) - The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is helping to build sustainable livelihoods for vulnerable coastal communities in the Eastern Province of Sri Lanka, through a loan approved for US$20 million.

The loan, for the North East Coastal Community Development Project, will help conflict-affected coastal communities in the three eastern districts - Trincomalee, Batticaloa, and Ampara - improve livelihoods on a sustainable basis and strengthen community management