Food aid reached 280,000 people uprooted in post-conflict Sri Lanka – UN

Basic food supplies were distributed to around 280,000 people last month following the end of the conflict between Government forces and rebels in north-east Sri Lanka, the United Nations humanitarian wing announced today.

Over 2,200 megatons of food was dispersed, with supplemental food – particularly a corn soya blend – being delivered to underweight young children, as well as to pregnant and lactating women, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

For its part, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and other agencies providing shelter have built 6,500 emergency structures and over 13,000 tents to date, with more being erected as land is cleared.

OCHA reported that water and sanitation has been a huge challenge, but progress is being made, with half of the latrines needed in place and water currently being provided for 75 per cent of overall drinking and bathing needs.

As of 5 June, 40 per cent of the $155 million needed for the 2009 Common Humanitarian Action Plan for Sri Lanka has been received, and an additional $28 million pledged.

Last month, Sri Lanka’s Government declared that its military operation against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) was over, ending more than two decades of fighting.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon last week repeated his appeal to the South Asian island nation’s Government to heed international calls for accountability and transparency, and for an inquiry into alleged abuses committed during the recently concluded conflict with Tamil rebels.

“It is crucially important that the Sri Lankan Government follow up on all the promises that they have made,” Mr. Ban told reporters following an informal discussion with Security Council members on Sri Lanka.

“Whenever and wherever there are credible allegations of violations of humanitarian law, there should be a proper investigation,” he said, adding that any inquiry must be supported by UN Member States and be “very impartial and objective.”

The Secretary-General also stressed that it was time to unite, and warned against “the risk of triumphalism in the wake of victory,” as this will hinder ongoing efforts by the Sri Lankan Government and people, and the international community, to help heal the wounds inflicted during the long-running conflict.