Key messages

• Rice prices have been rising in the last months but stabilized in January while wheat flour prices, although remained stable, were very high, mainly due to import dependence.

• Although food security has improved, poor groups particularly children suffer from high levels of malnutrition. Agencies are concerned over a serious food security situation.

3149th FOREIGN AFFAIRS Council meeting

Brussels, 27 February 2012

The Council adopted the following conclusions:

"1. Ahead of the 19th regular session of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC), the EU reaffirms its strong support to the Human Rights Council and welcomes the progress made in performing its mandate over the last year.

The EU SEM (European Union Support to Socio Economic Development) is a Programme aimed to support the sustainable development of Socio Economic Measures in North and East of Sri Lanka. A sum of EUR 16 million (LKR 2.4 billion) in grant funding has been allocated for this program, which was adopted in 2011 and will last throughout 2014. The EU-SEM programme targets the populations in the North and East, while majority of the activities will be concentrated in the Districts of Mullaitivu and Killinochchi where the needs are the highest.

Key Messages

Significant rise in wheat and rice prices are observed due to international price hikes and damage to crops caused by recent floods. Nominal rice price may soon approach the level observed in 2008.

Food security is deteriorating due to extensive damage to crops and livelihoods. Different agencies are assisting the affected population with food and non food items distributions.

The two waves of floods in recent months have affected over 2 million people in several districts of the country and displaced some 700,000 people.

The European Parliamentary Delegation for relations with South Asia, led by Ms. Jean Lambert (Greens, European Free Alliance, UK) visited the EU funded permanent housing project for conflicted affected IDPs in Vavuniya on the 23rd February 2011. On the day, the 7 member delegation visited Menik Farm village, Vavuniya DS where 109 houses were constructed by implementing partner Arbeiter- Samariter- Bund (ASB) for over 436 beneficiaries previously living in temporary and or semi permanent accommodation.

Initiated in February 2010, the first

Key Messages

- Prices of rice and wheat significantly decreased in recent months however they are still much higher than pre-food crisis levels.

- The political situation has stabilized and the government in collaboration with UNHCR is supporting the return of refugees to conflict-affected areas.

- There is general consensus among agencies on a severe problem of hunger in the short and longer term.

- Government policies aim at supporting producers through import tariffs and price support measures.

Key Messages

The current retail prices of rice and wheat remain higher than the pre- food crisis levels of 2007.

Large proportions of IDPs are likely to remain in refugees camps due to obstacles to their return to their places of origins.

Different agencies agree that food insecurity remains a problem for a large sector of the population, particularly IDPs.

The government has implemented measures to support consumers.

Summary: 20 January 2010 - Statement by High Representative Catherine Ashton on Sri Lanka's, where pre-election violence is increasing.

"The High Representative of the European Union is deeply concerned by mounting pre-electoral violence in Sri Lanka, which has already caused deaths and numerous injured. She recalls the EU's firm conviction that a peaceful environment is an essential prerequisite to free and fair elections. The High Representative calls on all Parties in Sri Lanka to actively contribute to a climate of serenity in which the

Summary: 27 October 2009, Luxembourg - At today's Council of the European Union meeting, the foreign ministers adopted a plan to strengthen EU action in Afghanistan and Pakistan and to make it more effective. In addition, the Council expressed its concern over the humanitarian situation in Sri Lanka. The ministers' discussions also covered the Middle East peace process and Iran's nuclear programme. Sweden's Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt chaired the Council meeting.

Ministers adopt plan for EU action in Afghanistan and Pakistan

The Council took an important step forward