The European Union has announced it will assist 4,000 families to build permanent homes in their "villages of origin" in the North-East of Sri Lanka.
EU Ambassador H.E. Bernard Savage said:
"I am extremely pleased with the signature of this new agreement which constitutes the fourth major housing reconstruction programme funded by the EU since 2006. By 2015, the EU will have financially assisted 20,000 families in North and East Sri Lanka to rebuild their houses, many of whom have endured displacement for over a decade.
"The EU's total contribution to housing will amount to approximately LKR 7.5 billion (EUR 50 million). These grants add up to ongoing EU-funded programmes (approximately LKR 19 billion or EUR 120 million) supporting livelihoods and socio-economic development in selected districts.
"By moving from humanitarian assistance to long-term sustainable development projects, the EU will have significantly helped Sri Lanka achieve its main development targets by the year 2016".
The Swiss Development Cooperation and UN Habitat will provide technical help to complete the project by 2015.
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