Blake and Moore welcomed the opportunity to listen to the concerns and perspectives of the American Tamil diaspora community and to share the steps the US is taking to address the humanitarian crisis.

The US has provided $56 million in humanitarian assistance in 2009. While the Sri Lanka government has made some progress easing camp congestion, registering internally displaced persons (IDPs), and expanding access by humanitarian organizations, much remains to be done, the officials said.

The US is urging the safe and speedy return of IDPs, continued access for international humanitarian organizations, and the registration and provision of national identification cards to IDPs, to help promote freedom of movement.