UN appeals for aid access in Sri Lanka

GENEVA: The United Nations refugee agency yesterday appealed for urgent access to thousands of victims of the conflict in Sri Lanka, after aid workers were locked out of several areas in the north and east.

"We call on the Sri Lankan government and the Tamil Tigers to urgently allow access for humanitarian aid workers so vital supplies can reach those in need, and to permit freedom of movement to all affected populations," said UNHCR spokeswoman Jennifer Pagonis.

"We and our partners are now seriously concerned about the welfare of civilians in areas inaccessible to humanitarian agencies because of strictly enforced travel restrictions," she added.

The office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees said the key access road to the Jaffna peninsula was closed. Food and water supplies had fallen to "alarmingly low levels" in many areas, it added. AFP