The uncertainty caused by civil war forced the Sri Lankan refugees to seek asylum in India. Most of the Refugees have been in Tamil Nadu since 1990, but they still lead temporary lives, and are housed in temporary shelters in the 115 refugee camps in Tamil Nadu. Most of the refugee population has elected to return to Sri Lanka as soon the IDP’s are resettled. Hence the Tamil Nadu government has not looked at the basic facilities of refugees on a long term perspective.

OfERR has been advocating the cause of the refugees with the Tamil Nadu Government from 1984, and the Governments of Tamil Nadu and India have been very supportive of the Refugees. This year OfERR has been advocating with the State Government to improve the basic conditions in the camps by frequent meetings with Public Department to the Tamil Nadu state and Rehabilitation Department. Treasurer Mr.S.C.Chandrahasan met Tamil Nadu Chief Minister thrice and oriented him on Basic condition of camps, developmental processes undertaken by Non Governmental Organizations and work to be undertaken.

Two months later the Tamil Nadu government allocated INR. One Billion for 72,876 Sri Lankan Tamil refugees accommodated in 113 camps of 25 Administrative Districts. The Chief Minister and the Tamil Nadu Government also sanctioned Color TVs for all families, Kalaignar Medical Insurance for refugees to get medical assistance for surgeries, Housing (Enhanced house size – above 160 Sq.ft), Water and Sanitation schemes, Schemes for Special abled, INR.25,000/- allowance for the marriage of 10th completed women, etc. The Tamil Nadu Government also sent food items for the suffering Internally Displaced People (IDPs) in Sri Lanka.

Tamil Nadu Government’s quality house plan (Above 160 Sq.ft) for refugees put forth a challenge for the NGOs which are already working in the housing construction projects for Sri Lankan refugees.

OfERR’s advocacy efforts with Tamil Nadu government and Educational Department paved the way for the Tamil Nadu Government to develop a favorable response towards the education of refugee students. District and Regional level advocacy efforts resulted in Educational Institutions wholeheartedly welcoming and admitting the refugee students and treating them on par with the Indian students.

Notably, Madras University (Best University of Tamil Nadu) came out with the offer of INR.Twenty Million worth of free graduation and post graduation programs for refugee students. OfERR was invited to attend the Implementation meeting organized by Madras University with the recommendation of Rehabilitation Department. OfERR was selected as NGO representative for the implementation committee formed by the University.

Post graduation studies was always a problem for the refugee students as they could not afford the fees and also because most of them needed to start earning and supporting their families as soon as possible. Therefore there are not many refugees who hold Post Graduates degrees in the refugee community. This scheme will extremely help in overcoming the financial hurdles to pursue Post Graduation and even Doctorate studies as everyone can be benefited by free distance education. Following Madras University’s offer, Madurai Kamaraj University also came out with the education plan to offer free education to refugee students.