Food aid reached 280,000 people uprooted in post-conflict Sri Lanka – UN

Basic food supplies were distributed to around 280,000 people last month following the end of the conflict between Government forces and rebels in north-east Sri Lanka, the United Nations humanitarian wing announced today.

Over 2,200 megatons of food was dispersed, with supplemental food – particularly a corn soya blend – being delivered to underweight young children, as well as to pregnant and lactating women, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

For its part, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and other agencies providing shelter have built 6,500 emergency structures and over 13,000 tents to date, with more being erected as land is cleared.

OCHA reported that water and sanitation has been a huge challenge, but progress is being made, with half of the latrines needed in place and water currently being provided for 75 per cent of overall drinking and bathing needs. Read more ...