The United Nations has warned hundreds of thousands of people, living in the war zone in the north-eastern Sri Lankan region of Vanni, are facing a food crisis.
World Food Programme (WFP) says about one-quarter of a million people there are totally dependent on international aid agencies who are unable to gain access to the area.
Sri Lankan military has sealed off Vanni to the outside world. The United Nations says about 250,000 civilians are trapped there. Aid agencies say they are unable to bring essential relief supplies to the people.
Sri Lankan military has sealed off Vanni to the outside world. The United Nations says about 250,000 civilians are trapped there. Aid agencies say they are unable to bring essential relief supplies to the people.
Hundreds of civilians have been killed and many wounded in recent days and several Western countries have pressed the Sri Lankan government to declare a cease-fire to allow emergency relief to be provided to the people caught in the fighting and the injured civilians to be transported for treatment.
Amnesty International has also called on both sides to declare a humanitarian cease-fire to allow civilians out and to let food, water and medical supplies be delivered to those who can't leave.
"A quarter of a million people are suffering without adequate food and shelter while shells rain down upon them. Most of those who have managed to escape the conflict have not received adequate hospital treatment," said Yolanda Foster, a researcher at the London-based rights group.
But the government has ruled out a cease-fire.
"A quarter of a million people are suffering without adequate food and shelter while shells rain down upon them. Most of those who have managed to escape the conflict have not received adequate hospital treatment," said Yolanda Foster, a researcher at the London-based rights group.
But the government has ruled out a cease-fire.
The World Food Program has said that the entire population of the Vanni is facing a food crisis. Some 250,000 people there are completely dependent on humanitarian aid, but WFP said it has not been able to get a supply convoy into the conflict zone since January 16.
"At present, the entire population of the Vanni is facing a food crisis due to continuous displacement, crop failure and recent floods," World Food Program spokeswoman, Emilia Casella said.
"At present, the entire population of the Vanni is facing a food crisis due to continuous displacement, crop failure and recent floods," World Food Program spokeswoman, Emilia Casella said.
"Their livelihood is almost completely lost, exacerbating the food insecurity and their coping mechanisms have been exhausted. There is complete dependency on humanitarian and food assistance for their survival."
A convoy that was supposed to enter during a 4-hour "humanitarian window" on Thursday, February 5, could not go because the agency did not receive the necessary clearance from government officials,
A convoy that was supposed to enter during a 4-hour "humanitarian window" on Thursday, February 5, could not go because the agency did not receive the necessary clearance from government officials,
"We don't have any more stocks to be distributed, and our staffs are essentially hiding at the moment," Casella said. WFP has 16 staff and 81 dependents in the Vanni area.
