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Sri Lanka's Genocidal War - '95 to '01
"..Reports
say the 3,000 shelters in Jaffna refugee camps urgently need repairs. Poor
sanitary conditions in camps are causing concern. The government is reviewing
the situation and the 116,000 families on dry rations may be reduced by 50%.
According to proposals, families earning over Rs 750 ($9) and those with
relatives abroad may not be entitled to food aid from 2001.
Director of Jaffna Hospital Dr Mrs Kanagaratnam told ICRC that a serious
consequence of the military situation is the dearth of specialists in certain
fields of medicine - orthopedics, neuro surgery, cardiac surgery, rheumatology.
The lack of advanced technology in medical investigations, diagnosis and
treatment such as radio therapy for cancer patients, laser and echo treatment
and thyroid assay is another problem the hospitals face...
In December, the European Union drew attention to the extreme social, moral and
physical precariousness of the people of the north-east and urged the government
to do everything within its powers to improve their lot, particularly through
better access to humanitarian aid and improved freedom of movement.
Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu districts Health Department officers say 80 different
kinds of medicines and materials needed in hospitals have not been received in
the Vanni since February. These include wound dressing, antiseptics and
preventive injections.
There is only one doctor in the Out Patients Department in Mullaitivu hospital.
Over 1,000 patients visit the department daily for treatment. Over 13,600 people
were treated in November in Mallavi hospital. The Kilinochchi hospital treated
over 19,500, including 3,000 for malaria and diarrhea. Seven children were
treated for severe malnutrition.
Seven lorry loads of food reached the Vanni through Pramanalankulam in late
December. According to Vavuniya Government Agent K Ganesh 1,041 lorryloads of
food was sent to the Vanni in 2000. Observers say the region needs several times
that amount...
Further west, 10,000 refugees in camps around the Madhu Church, are unable to
return to home areas. Some displaced farmers continue to cultivate their lands.
Reports say farmers in LTTE-controlled areas in northern Mannar are unable to
market rice produced because of restrictions imposed by the Army..."
(British
Refugee Council, Sri Lanka Monitor, December 2000)