Access To Displaced Sri Lankans Has Improved

The United Nations humanitarian wing reported today that access to camps in Vavuniya housing some of the hundreds of thousands of civilians displaced by the recently-ended conflict in Sri Lanka has improved, though some delays are still being experienced.

In addition, work on an additional camp in the area had begun, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said, adding that workers are clearing more areas for future camps.

Last month the Government declared that its military operation against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) had ended, and that all internally displaced persons (IDPs) had left the conflict zone. The majority of those who fled are said to be in Vavuniya.

OCHA said that, between 27 October 2008 and 8 June, 280,812 people crossed to the Government-controlled areas from the conflict zone, including 3,194 who were registered last week.

It added that as of 8 June, the UN World Food Programme (WFP) had delivered nearly 880 metric tonnes of food to IDPs in Vavuniya. Read more ...