UNHCR AGREES WITH U.S. APPROACH ON FREEDOM OF

C O N F I D E N T I A L GENEVA 000762 SIPDIS STATE FOR SCA/ARENZULLI E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/14/2019 TAGS: CE EAID EUN MAS PGOV PHUM PREF PREL PTER SOCI SUBJECT: UNHCR AGREES WITH U.S. APPROACH ON FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT FOR IDPS IN SRI LANKA REF: STATE 92641 Classified By: PETER MULREAN, RMA COUNSELOR, FOR REASONS 1.4 B AND D. ¶1. (C) Refugee Officer spoke to Pascale Moreau, Deputy Director for Asia and the Pacific, UNHCR, on points outlined Reftel. Moreau said that UNHCR supported the U.S. concern for IDPs in Manik Farm as well as the need for the GSL to allow IDPs full freedom of movement. Moreau said that UNHCR High Commissioner Antonio Guterres had raised this issue during a video conference yesterday with the UN Secretary General and that he would raise it again during his discussion tomorrow with GSL Minister for Disaster Management and Human Rights, Mahinda Samarasinghe, who is in Geneva to attend the Human Rights Council. RefOff stressed that it would be important for the HC to emphasize the need for GSL action before the end of September and the onset of the monsoon season. ¶2. (C) Moreau said that a large return movement would indeed result in additional needs and that UNHCR has submitted to the GSL a response plan focusing on quick-impact projects, protection monitoring, and NFIs. For returning IDP populations, UNHCR wants to provide families with "shelter grants" (funds to be used to build/rebuild homes) as opposed to simple "cash grants" (for any purpose related to their return). UNHCR is also discussing possibilities to provide returnees with transportation, which would allow it greater access to assist with monitoring returns. Moreau stressed that UNHCR's ability to provide protection monitoring in the areas of return would be vital to its involvement in return operations. We will follow-up with UNHCR for a read-out of their meeting with Minister Samarasinghe. GRIFFITHS