The U.N. Resident/ Humanitarian Coordinator in Sri Lankan Neil Buhne reiterated the urgent need to stay the course in helping displaced persons and returned communities when briefing donors assisting the work of humanitarian organizations supporting the efforts of the government there.In a press statement in Colombo on Thursday, the UN acknowledged that there has been substantial progress over the last months and since late 2009, and approximately 200,000 people have returned to their villages in the North. Although a declining number of IDPs (Internally Displaced Persons) are with host families, it is estimated that 70,000 remain displaced or are in transit sites near their home areas. Less than 35,000 IDPs remain in emergency sites.According to UN , notable contributions to humanitarian efforts come from de-mining actors of both government, and national and international agencies, who have cleared and released land, paving the way for the resettlement of the displaced. A shelter grant of 220 USD per family has been received by 55,000 families along with an equal number of non-food item kits. Four thousand permanent homes are under construction and a further 50,000 is pledged by the Indian Government.However, UN says that despite these real achievements, returned persons remain vulnerable, needing support until livelihoods are restored. Funding shortages have reduced the capacity to deliver immediate assistance to the residual camp population and returning communities. There are shortfalls for all sectors, but the largest are for work on Economic Recovery and Infrastructure, Water and Sanitation, Agriculture and Health.