While the security forces prepare for a major onslaught on Mullaitivu, the LTTE’s last main base in the North, the United Nations is assessing the ground situation before it sends more food stocks and essentials for internally displaced persons (IDPS) trapped in the conflict zone.
K. Adnan Khan, World Food Programme (WFP) country director for Sri Lanka, told The Sunday Times that the UN was closely following the situation, following the recapture of Kilinochchi, and that aid would flow into the region only after the WFP organisers had reassurances from all parties involved in the conflict.
The International Red Cross (ICRC) said it would continue to escort food convoys entering the troubled areas, Mr. Khan said.
“However everything will depend on the ground situation, because the safety of our staff operating the convoys is of the utmost importance. We do not know when the fighting will escalate, and it would not do to have our staff trapped in such a scenario,” he said.
The most recent WFP aid convoy, carrying 811 tons of food (sufficient to feed 230,000 people for a week) entered the Wanni conflict zone on Thursday.The WFP has sent 6,617 tons of food to the Wanni since November last year.
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