Enough food and medicine in North

Mohammed Naalir

There is enough food and medical stocks in Jaffna, Kilinochchi and Mannar districts despite military operations being carried out in these areas, Disaster Management and Human Rights Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe said.

He said some foreign media including certain local media criticised that the IDPs have been left alone and are inconvenienced without food, water and accommodation.

There is no truth in these allegations. All arrangements have been made to look into the IDPs needs and they are housed in schools. Authorities have been instructed to provide cooked meals for a week and dry rations for two weeks, the Minister said.

Kilinochhi and other areas where IDPs are housed.

The resettlement of IDPs in the Eastern Province has been almost completed. The rest of the IDPs will also be resettled shortly, Samarasinghe added. He expressed confidence that the North will also be subjected to a immense development drive like the East once the entire North is liberated.

During the meeting of the Consultative Committee on Humanitarian Assistance (CCHA) last Friday, Mullaitvu and Kilinochchi Government Agents confirmed that the IDPs have been housed in schools until they are settled in their shelters while there is enough food stocks to be distributed among them.

Minister Samarasinghe said they had asked the Kilinochchi, Mullaitivu, Mannar and Vavuniya Government Agents to inform about the current situation of the areas to carry out immediate assistance work.

The two Government Agents confirmed that there was a buffer stock for two weeks.

Essential Services Commission, Commissioner General S.B. Divaratne said humanitarian aid was continuing uninterrupted in Kilinochchi and Mannar areas. The allocation of aid is also continuing smoothly, he said.

Divaratne said although Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu are uncleared, the Government has taken steps to distribute essential food items.

Divaratne said while military operations were continuing in the area, the Government was committed to protect civilians.

He said 900,000 bags of cement have been sent to Jaffna in the past. Fuel is also available for two months in Jaffna. A passenger ship also sails from Trincomalee to Jaffna every other day. There is a buffer stock for two months in Jaffna, Divaratne said.

He said 2,800 metric tons fertiliser was dispatched to Jaffna last year. Navy personnel are engaged in unloading essential food items and they dispatch the food to these areas.

Resettlement and Disaster Relief Services Ministry Secretary A.C.M. Razik said Rs. 18 million has been allocated to these districts to carry out relief work for the IDPs.

The Government is ready to allocate additional funds to these districts when needed, he said.

Dr. B.V.S. Benaragama, Director of Medical Supplies Division of the Health Ministry said there is no shortage of drugs and medical equipment in the area.

Rs. 402 million worth drugs and medical equipment have been sent so far, he said.