Sri Lanka: Vanni Emergency OCHA Situation Report No. 7

- The Ministry of Defence granted permission to 12 UN national staff to leave IDP sites in Vavuniya. A decision is pending as to whether the dependents of UN staff and other humanitarian workers would also be allowed to leave the camps.

- In a conversation between the UN Secretary General (SG) and President Rajapaksa on 05 May 2009, the SG called again for a humanitarian pause in the fighting in order to bring humanitarian aid into the conflict zone and to allow the UN to assess the situation properly.

- The SG again urged the authorities to avoid the use of artillery and heavy weaponry in zones where civilians are especially at risk and he again appealed to the LTTE to let civilians go and stop forced recruitment. The SG emphasized that protecting civilians and respecting international humanitarian law is the top priority.

- The military has already cleared thirty acres of land in Menik Farm zone 4.

- UNHCR and UNICEF are undertaking damage assessments in the Pulmoddai IDP site, after violent winds had destroyed recently installed tents and toilets on 05 May.

- Arrangements are underway to provide cooked meals to IDPs arriving at Omanthai crossing point. Read more and download report ...