Sri Lanka: Thousands Caught in Conflict
21 April 2009: In a statement published on 21 April, the Secretary-General welcomed the escape by tens of thousands of civiliansfrom the conflict zone in north-eastern Sri Lanka over the last three days, while being deeply concerned about the circumstances of the civilians that remain in the conflict zone and the potential for large-scale casualties. In light of the latest outflow of displaced persons, he said, the United Nations is increasing its efforts to provide the required humanitarian assistance, and will continue to do all it can to ensure conditions fully reflect international standards.
Displacement numbers are growing as a result of the resumption of heavy fighting between the military and the Liberation Tamil Tigers of Eelam (LTTE), reports the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). Concentrating the distributions of aid on Vavuniya where the majority of internally displaced people are being accommodated, UNHCR has stepped up its emergency response. It has distributed so far 36,000 plastic mats, over 22,000 bed sheets and 32,000 mosquito nets.
In a 15 April press conference at United Nations Headquarters, Emergency Relief Coordinator John Holmes said that the two-day pause in military operations, announced by the Government of Sri Lanka on 12 April, was not enough. He added that there seemed to be fewer civilians getting out during the pause than before and it was clear that LTTE actively prevented those who wanted to leave from getting out. He also called once again on the Sri Lankan Government not to use heavy weapons in the area as they had been doing.
In a statement published on 3 April, United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, said he was deeply distressed by continuing reports from the Vanni region of Sri Lanka that civilians are at extreme risk, with heavy casualties, and that the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) are keeping civilians in a very small area of active conflict against their will. At the same time, the Secretary-General again reminds the Government of Sri Lanka of its responsibility to protect civilians, and to avoid the use of heavy weapons in areas where there are civilians, as promised.
The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), meanwhile, reported during a 3 April press briefing at UN Headquarters that it continues to receive reports of shelling, mortar fire and aerial attacks in the “no fire” zone in Sri Lanka. Up to the end of March, OCHA says that 58,378 persons crossed from conflict areas, and are accommodated in camps for internally displaced persons in Vavuniya. Another 8,204 IDPs (including the injured and those who accompanied these patients) have gone to Trincomalee. OCHA estimates that some 150,000 people remain trapped in the conflict area.