Latest report on ICRC activities in the
field (September)
As fighting between government forces and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) continues in northern Sri Lanka, large numbers of people are still fleeing
eastward from Kilinochchi for Mullaitivu district, often leaving their personal belongings behind.
"Food, shelter, clean water, sanitation and, above all, security remain the most urgent
concerns for the tens of thousands of displaced civilians living in LTTE-controlled areas in the north of the country," said Anthony Dalziel, ICRC deputy head of delegation in Sri Lanka.
In
an effort to meet some of these needs, the ICRC, with help from the Sri Lanka Red Cross Society, distributed relief items in September to over 4,500 people in the Karachchi and Oddusuddan areas.
Among the items were hygiene kits, baby-care parcels, mosquito nets and emergency household kits.
In addition, tarpaulins were distributed to provide temporary shelter.
Also in September, the ICRC repaired over 20 wells and built dozens of toilets.
Although the ICRC has not itself been distributing food in the Vanni, it has been supporting others in
their efforts to provide food and other essential supplies for the affected population.
At the Omanthai crossing point, the ICRC has been serving as a neutral intermediary to facilitate the
passage of food convoys, as well as civilians and their vehicles, between government- and LTTE-controlled areas.
In coordination with local officials, the ICRC has been closely monitoring
the health situation for any outbreaks of malaria or water-borne diseases as the monsoon rains approach.
Many health-care units that previously treated patients in the Vanni had to relocate
to safer places alongside the population.
They continue to provide medical care for the displaced.
"The situation in the Vanni is evolving daily and the ICRC is committed to
staying close to those in need of humanitarian assistance.
With the agreement of the government, we are continuing our activities for the Vanni population from our offices in
Puthukkudiyirippu, where we have maintained an operational presence since 1997," said Dalziel.
"While security remains a concern, we are in daily contact with the security forces and the
LTTE.
In this way, we can obtain the security guarantees we need to carry out our work in the field," he added.
Serving as a neutral intermediary at Omanthai crossing
point
Acting as a neutral intermediary, the ICRC is present at the Omanthai crossing point six days a week to facilitate the passage of civilians and their vehicles between government-controlled
and LTTE-held areas.
In September, over 10,000 civilians, 1,440 vehicles, and ambulances carrying over 1,400 patients passed through.
In addition, ICRC staff transported the
bodies of 136 fallen fighters through the crossing point.
Protecting civilians and persons held in connection with the conflict
The ICRC continues to monitor possible violations of
international humanitarian law affecting civilians throughout the country and to discuss its concerns with the parties to the conflict.
With cooperation from government officials and the
LTTE, the ICRC has been visiting a growing number of people arrested in connection with the armed conflict to monitor their treatment and conditions of detention.
In September, ICRC
delegates visited over 350 security detainees in some 30 places of detention throughout the country.
The ICRC provided the families of over 400 detainees with financial aid enabling them to
visit their relatives in various places of detention.
Over 35 released detainees received funds enabling them to return to their homes.
Restoring family links
Together
with the Sri Lanka Red Cross Society, the ICRC helps family members separated by the conflict to keep in touch through the exchange of Red Cross messages.
In September, the ICRC collected
192 such messages and delivered 172.
In September, the ICRC: improved access to healthcare More than 65 patients received walking aids, physiotherapy and other services from
the ICRC-supported Jaffna Jaipur Centre for Disability Rehabilitation.
Some 80 patients requiring specialized medical care accompanied by 60 caregivers were transported on ICRC-chartered
flights between Jaffna and Colombo.
Around 30 doctors took these flights either to accompany patients or to fulfil other official duties.
assisted displaced people and
returnees
Kilinochchi and Mullativu districts: Vanni-based ICRC staff, helped by members of the Sri Lanka Red Cross Society, distributed relief items to some 1,000 families recently displaced by
the fighting in Killonochchi and Mullativu districts.
Among the items were some 235 family-sized hygiene kits, 265 baby-care parcels, 1,340 adult and baby mosquito nets, 240 emergency
household kits with bed linen, and 1,070 kitchen sets.
Ampara, Batticaloa, Trincomalee and Vavuniya districts: The ICRC provided over 1,000 returnee and displaced families with food
parcels, fertilizer, hygiene kits, and other non-food items.
improved living conditions and access to water Kilinochchi and Mullativu districts: Tents for over 160 displaced
families and materials for more than 280 shelters, including tarpaulins and doors were distributed among the displaced population.
The ICRC also repaired wells and built toilets in the
districts.
Ampara, Batticaloa, Jaffna, Trincomalee and Vavuniya districts: The ICRC improved access to clean water and proper sanitation by carrying out maintenance work on a water
distribution system, repairing wells, and building sceptic tanks and toilets.
It also provided shelter materials for displaced families.
In Vavuniya district, the organization
completed the renovation of a ward at Cheddikulam Hospital.
enhanced respect for international humanitarian law
As part of its efforts to increase respect for international
humanitarian law, the ICRC conducted information sessions for over 2,000 people, including civilians, members of the Tamil Peoples' Liberation Tigers (TMVP) and government security forces.
provided support for the Sri Lanka Red Cross Society
The ICRC continues to work with the Sri Lanka Red Cross to build its capacity to maintain and re-establish family links and spread
awareness of the principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.
With ICRC assistance, the Sri Lanka Red Cross continues to successfully operate night ambulance
services in Jaffna and Vavuniya.
For further information, please contact:
Carla Haddad Mardini, ICRC Geneva, tel: +41 22 730 2405 or +41 79 217 3226
Sarasi Wijeratne, ICRC
Colombo, tel: +94 11 250 33 46 or +94 773 1588 44
Israeli riot policemen patrol the streets after clashes in Israel's northern coastal city of Acre October 10, 2008. Police used tear gas and water cannon to try and stamp out clashes ...
