UN aid resumes in war-torn northern Sri Lanka
Today’s blast occurred during the opening of a new office for the opposition United National Party (UNP).The government blamed rebel Tamil Tigers.
The bomb killed the party leader, retired army General Janaka Perera, who had been threatened by rebels as well as pro-government elements.
UNP General Secretary Tissa Attanayake also blamed the authorities. “The government,” he said, “had opened up the opportunities to kill him by not providing security despite repeated requests.”
Last Friday Tony Banbury, United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) regional director for Asia, said “We will not tolerate threats to humanitarian workers, nor disruptions to the critical dispatching of food for the people hit hardest by the continuing conflict in northern Sri Lanka”.
Increasing violence has interrupted food aid for an estimated 1.1 million people who have been displaced and left to fend for themselves.
The WFP has resumed food shipments for 200,000 displaced people in the LTTE-controlled areas, but it has been criticised by the military which claims that rebels are seizing supplies.
However, “food and other forms of relief assistance for civilians are paramount, as is the security of humanitarian aid workers who are trying to help them,” said Azeb Asrat, WFP acting country director in Sri Lanka. “Conflict victims are extremely vulnerable and in need of the most basic necessities.”
The United Nations and other humanitarian groups left the Wanni region on 16 September following a government order they leave the rebel-held area. Since then only Christian groups have been able to help the displaced.
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24/10/2022 15:30
