Access To Displaced Sri Lankans Has Improved

Access To Displaced Sri Lankans Has Improved, UN Reports

New York, Jun 12 2009 6:10PM 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.

As of yesterday, the Common Humanitarian Action Plan for Sri Lanka is 44 per cent funded, with some $69 million received out the $155 million required.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon told reporters yesterday that the Government has addressed some concerns he raised during his recent visit to Sri Lanka over humanitarian access to the camps.

“That said, conditions in the camps remain difficult, and I will continue to press for improvement, not least in vital areas such as freedom of movement and family reunification,” he said during his monthly news conference in New York.

ENDS

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