Govt. committed to looking after Vanni people

Disaster Management and Human Rights Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe and Senior Advisor to the President Basil Rajapaksa addressed humanitarian issues faced by the people of the Vanni at yesterday’s high level policy meeting of the Consultative Committee on Humanitarian Assistance (CCHA).

While reiterating the Government’s commitment in providing humanitarian assistance to the people in the Vanni, Samarasinghe and Rajapaksa requested the Government Agents of Kilinochchi, Mullaitivu, Mannar and Vavuniya to present the current situation for immediate assistance.

Government Agents of Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu confirmed that IDPs are housed at schools in areas of displacement with further plans to settle them in shelters during the coming weeks.

They also informed the CCHA that contingency plans have been drawn up to accommodate any further increase in IDPs. This is contrary to recent reports on IDPs living under trees.

The Government Agents informed that there is a buffer stock of food available for two weeks coupled with the Ministry of Nation Building and Estate Infrastructure Development and World Food Programme (WFP) providing food rations for one month.

The Resettlement and Disaster Relief Services Ministry informed that they have already released Rs. 15 million for the Kilinochchi district and Rs. 8 million for the Mullaitivu district to meet the needs of the people.

A further two lorry loads of clothing, kitchen utensils, water containers, tarpaulins and other essential items will be sent next week to the Vanni.

The Ministry also continues to supply dry rations for protracted IDPs in the area. The Health Ministry informed that the request for medical items by the Regional Director of Health Services (RDHS) is ready for transportation and the Commissioner General of Essential Services (CGES) has approved the items.

The Government assured the Government Agent, of full facilitation to enable them to deliver humanitarian assistance to those in need without delay.

UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, Neil Buhne thanked the Government Agents for the work undertaken to provide humanitarian assistance to the people. He expressed his appreciation for the cooperation extended by the Government to the UN and humanitarian agencies in carrying out their work in the Vanni.