300,000 trapped in the Vanni
TAMIL party EPDP says in a report to the Sri Lankan President that 339,700 displaced people in the Vanni receive dry rations currently and another 182,000 need government assistance. Shelter and water supply continue to be key concerns of NGOs.
Doctors in the Vanni say there is also a shortage of medicines. The Defence Ministry agreed to approve medical supply requests after a meeting with French medical agency Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) and the ICRC. NGOs confirm medicine supplies have been received in the Vanni.
Only 6,197 lorry-loads of the12,000 lorry-loads of food aid needed for the period May-October were allowed into the Vanni. Food lorries were denied entry for several days in mid-November after fighting erupted north of Vavuniya. Problems of distribution continue. Government officials in Colombo continue to sit on NGO permits despite repeated representations.
Seven people, including five children, died of septicaemia in Akkarayankulam hospital in
Kilinochchi District in late October and early November. Doctors say undernutrition is making people susceptible to disease. S Ariharan, 15, died of malaria in the hospital.
In November the LTTE launched several attacks west and north of Vavuniya. On 7 November the Tigers killed two soldiers and injured seven others in an attack on Army defence lines at Ganeshapuram and Varani, 8 miles west of Vavuniya town. The Army has denied Tiger claims that 31 military posts were destroyed. Seven Tigers died in the attack.
The Army and the Tigers clashed three days later near the civilians crossing point at Nochchimoddai north of Vavuniya town. Three soldiers were killed. The Tigers launched an assault further west at Poovarasankulam on 14 November injuring five soldiers.
Twelve bodies were washed ashore at Koraiyady in Mullaitivu District in late November. The LTTE has accused the Army of killing youth in custody and dumping the bodies in the sea.
Next article.
Back to Sri Lanka Monitor Index page.
Back to The Refugee Council Welclome page.