LIVING WITH UNCERTAINTY NEEDS OF THE FAMILIES OF MISSING PERSONS IN SRI LANKA 0133/002 07.2016 500 REPORT MISSION The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is an impartial, neutral and independent organisation whose exclusively humanitarian mission is to protect the lives and dignity of victims of armed conflict and other situations of violence and to provide them with assistance. The ICRC also endeavours to prevent suffering by promoting and strengthening humanitarian law and universal humanitarian International Committee of the Red Cross principles. Established in 1863, the ICRC is at the origin of 29, Layards Road, Colombo 05 Sri Lanka the Geneva Conventions and the International Red Cross T + 94 (11) 250 33 46 F + 94 (11) 250 33 48 and Red Crescent Movement. It directs and coordinates the E-mail:
[email protected] international activities conducted by the Movement in armed ©ICRC, July 2016 conflicts and other situations of violence. Vavuniya office 70, Vairavar Kovil Road Vairavarpuliyankulam Vavuniya Sri Lanka T: +94 (0)24 222 28 55 F: +94 (0)24 222 25 37 Batticaloa office Manresa Road Kothukulam, Pillayaredi Batticaloa Sri Lanka T: +94 (0)65 222 70 70 LIVING WITH UNCERTAINTY NEEDS OF THE FAMILIES OF MISSING PERSONS IN SRI LANKA I ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS On the occasion of publishing this report, the ICRC first wishes to thank the many families of missing persons, who participated in the Families’ Needs Assessment by taking the time to answer the questions and be a part of focus group discussions. Our hope is that this report will help the Government to put in place a comprehensive response to address the humanitarian needs of all families of missing persons and that it will provide grounds for other national and international stakeholders in Sri Lanka to develop programmes in their favour.