Date:14/10/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/10/14/stories/2008101454801300.htm

International

Sri Lankan displaced in dire straits

B. Muralidhar Reddy

COLOMBO: The consortium of U.N. agencies and international NGOs operating in Sri Lanka has said the monsoon has put the 2,00,000-odd internally displaced persons (IDPs) at grave risk due to the lack of transport and fuel.

In its weekly report released on Monday, the consortium said: “Lack of transport and fuel is hampering movement for many IDPs seeking safety along the A35. On average, Rs. 12,000 is being charged to rent a tractor to transport IDPs and their belongings from Kilinochchi to Visuvamadu, and as much as Rs. 24,000 from Kilnochichi to PTK in Mullathivu district. There are reports of people pawning their jewellery and other valuables to pay for transportation.” The report said the security situation in the Jaffna Peninsula remained tense during the week, especially in areas near the forward defence lines (FDLs).

It said at the beginning of the reporting period (October 2), there were aerial attacks on Kilinochchi and surrounding areas. However by the end of the week, the focus of the attacks was Mullathivu district.

Separately, the International Committee for Red Cross, in its monthly bulletin, said as fighting in the north continues, many people continue to flee eastwards, leaving Kilinochchi for Mullathivu, often leaving their personal belongings behind. “Food, shelter, clean water, sanitation and, above all, security remain the most urgent concerns of the tens of thousands of displaced civilians living in LTTE-controlled areas in the north of the country,” said Anthony Dalziel, ICRC deputy head of delegation in Sri Lanka.