Germany has decided to increase its aid for Sri Lanka’s internally displaced people to 4.7 Euro, its Federal Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier announced yesterday.

In addition, the German Federal Foreign Office will provide 500,000 Euro to the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in aid of IDPs.

Following a telephone conversation with the President of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Jakob Kellenberger, Steinmeier issued the following statement:

"I appeal urgently to all conflicting parties in Sri Lanka to ensure the protection of the civilian population and adhere to international humanitarian law, International Aid Organisations must be granted access to all refugees immediately. It is especially important that these people receive the medicines they desperately need. Moreover, it is clear that a lasting solution to the conflict can only be achieved through political means. My country is ready and willing to do all it can to support such a process."