Norway extends Rs. 150 million support for resettlement in Sri Lanka’s newly released areas of North

Nov 17, Colombo: Ambassador of Norway to Sri Lanka and Maldives, Thorbjørn Gaustadsæther and Country Director of United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Sri Lanka, Jørn Sørensen signed an Agreement to extend Government of Norway's support to the resettlement of the communities in the newly released Myliddy harbor area in Jaffna District.

UNDP will work with the Government authorities to gradually Restore Myliddy Pier as a strategic Fishing Hub with immediate intervention to clear the Boat Access Ways. The support is amounting to Rs. 150 million.

The support also aims to create sustainable livelihood opportunities for targeted communities in fisheries, agriculture, livestock and alternative income-generation activities to revitalize economic opportunities at the community level by providing access to productive inputs, skills trainings, tools, equipment, seeds and vital infrastructure, and increasing local employment. The support aims to help estimated 550 families as direct beneficiaries in the newly released area.

Since November 2015, after the resettlement was commenced in the newly released areas in Jaffna and Trincomalee Districts, Norway has already provided Rs. 290 million through UNDP to support the newly resettled community in the Valalai and Thelippalai areas in Jaffna District and in the Sampur area in Trincomalee District to start their livelihoods.