SL:MANY IDPs FLED SEVERAL TIMES!!!

Security, stability pressing concern for Vanni IDPs - ICRC

The ICRC yesterday said security and stability were a pressing concern for displaced people in the Vanni since the escalation of hostilities in July.

Many of the IDPs have had to flee several times due to hostilities, head of ICRC operations in the Vanni Hicham Mandoudi said.

"What these displaced people want is a place where they can stabilize their lives. They're exhausted after moving from one place to another, each time leaving behind more of their belongings," he said.

The ICRC is still the only international humanitarian organisation permanently present in the Vanni.

"While food, sanitation and clean water remain the priorities for the displaced, the monsoon rains have brought a greater need for shelter. During October, the ICRC provided over 750 emergency shelters in Mullaitivu and Killinochchi districts, not only for displaced families but also for relocated health facilities such as that in Oddusuddan, Mullaitivu district, it said.

Vanni health care facilities continue to provide basic health care, even though many have had to relocate along with the people they serve. At least 15 displaced people were afflicted with malaria during October and the ICRC and health authorities remain on alert for further outbreaks of malaria and other mosquito-transmitted diseases, which could become more prevalent as the rainy season arrives in the Vanni, the ICRC said.

It said it distributed 8,850 mosquito nets, including special nets for babies, to displaced families in Puthukudiyuruppu, Maritempattu, Oddusuddan, Karachchi and Kandawalai to reduce the risk of these diseases.

The ICRC said it continues to facilitate the passage of food convoys through the Omanthai crossing point between government-held and LTTE-held territory on route to displaced people, most of whom have settled temporarily in Mullaitivu district, west of Puthukkudiyuruppu.

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