InsideJapan News Network

Hundreds of tents are among the humanitarian assistance being delivered to Sri Lanka by the Japanese government, it has emerged.

The move has come in response to an appeal from the United Nations Agencies and the Sri Lankan government, which called for help to be provided for those displaced by fighting between the army and Tamil Tiger rebels.

In addition to tents, 1,000 mosquito nets, 30,000 jerry cans, 10,000 sleeping mats and several million rupees will be sent to the country's Northern Province.

All of the assistance will be distributed through the International Organisation for Migrants, an inter-governmental organisation consisting of 125 member states and 18 observer nations.

The Japanese embassy has also said it is working with other agencies, such as the United Nations Commission on Human Rights, Unicef and the International Committee of the Red Cross to make sure all help is promptly received by Sri Lanka's internally displaced people.

Written by Mike Cotgreave