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July 08, 2008
Tsunami Programme - Mission & Vision - Refugees in Tamil Nadu Eelasuthanthiran - Eealmupdate -
OfERR is an organization of Ceylon? Tamil refugees, by refugees and for refugees, committed to the principles of human development and sustainable livelihoods.
OfERR’s mission is to improve and develop the life and well being of refugees in India and to prepare them for their eventual return to the Island.? OfERR’s key objective is to build the capacity of refugees, empowering them to make a significant contribution to their social and economic development and to rebuilding their homeland?.
OfERR mobilizes and networks with NGOs and inter-governmental agencies. It works with governments to advocate for and to ensure the protection and the rights of refugees and returnees. OfERR is committed to overcome the disempowerment and discrimination that surrounds the refugee experience.
OfERR is a learning organization which draws on the knowledge and experience of refugees and others. It is always ready to motivate, to innovate and to implement new ideas.
OfERR’s ultimate goal is the realization of equal rights of all citizens, the rule of law, social justice and the restoration of democracy in the homeland and the achievement of sustainable development. OfERR’s lived experience is based on principles of non-violence, non-discrimination (e.g. religion, ethnicity, caste, class, gender, health and disabilities) and democratic structures and processes in the realization of this vision.
MANDATE STATEMENT
OfERR’s
programs provide refugees and their families with
- The education and training skills to enhance their abilities and to re-build
the community. A special focus is on young women and men as an investment for
the future;
- health and nutrition services to strengthen and energize them to be actively
involved in their families and in the community;
- counseling and social awareness to strengthen their well-being, the family
and the community; and
- Human rights, non-violent and democratic values that will empower them in
the process of return and nation building.
Children
and vulnerable groups continue to be of special concern .
OfERR’s services and programmes in India will continue until the repatriation
of refugees is completed.
Empowerment of women to ensure their equal participation in the family, community and society is an OfERR priority.
In preparation for the voluntary return of refugees, OfERR will establish a presence on the Island to coordinate programmes and carry out relevant advocacy work. OfERR will also provide information to refugees in India about their social and cultural heritage and the social and economic situation in the Island. Refugees will be equipped with the capacities for peace building, respect for human rights and democracy. Awareness about landmine protection will be an important part of the preparation for return.
OfERR’s advocacy work will include
- sustaining
activities in India until all refugees have been repatriated;
- involving refugees in the peace negotiation process;
- promoting the restoration of democracy, justice and peace on the Island;
- facilitating and ensuring the voluntary repatriation and the protection and
full rights of returnees; and
- assistance in the settlement process for refugees who decide to remain in
India.
STRATEGIC GOALS 2004-2007
Sustaining programmes & advocacy work in India
1. To ensure
the sustainability of OfERR programmes until all refugees have been voluntarily
repatriated or settled in India.
2. To advocate for a continued favourable political and social climate in India
for the rehabilitation of refugees in India.
3. To advocate for the early political solution of the ethnic conflict in the
Island and for the favourable political and social climate for the rehabilitation
of returnees.
Preparing and accompanying refugees for return
4. To update
the data base on refugees with regards to return requirements.
5. To raise awareness about land mines in the Island and prepare returnees to
participate in de-mining programmes.
6. To provide peace and human rights education including ongoing updates on
the peace negotiations and the situation on the Island.
7. To develop a strategy for the rehabilitation of returnees in the Island.
Presence in the Island
8. To determine
and establish the most effective organizational structure for OfERR in the Island.
9. To develop a strategy for programmes and advocacy in the Island.
10. To implement programmes in the Island based on the principles of long-term
development and sustainable livelihoods.
October
18, 2003
Organizational Review October 1-19, 2003
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Ceylon refers to Sri Lanka “Island” refers to Sri Lanka “homeland” refers to the Tamil speaking area in the NE of Sri Lanka