Significant improvement in IDP camps - UNHCR
The United Nations agencies and International Non-Governmental
Organisations (INGOs) have observed a significant improvement in
humanitarian access to IDP sites in the North.
While commending the improved facilities at camps for the displaced,
the report noted a decreased military presence inside the camps.
According to the latest UNHCR report, the improved access has allowed
more effective implementation of activities to enable a better living
condition to the displaced persons. So far, around 4,300 displaced
persons, mostly elderly and sick, have been released and the government
has announced that another 9,000 have been cleared for release.
As of July 9, the UN World Food Program (WFP) continues to provide
dry rations including wheat flour, rice, dhal, vegetable oil and sugar
to meet the food needs of the over 280,000 newly displaced IDPs in
camps, according to the UN Office of the Resident/Humanitarian
Coordinator (UNR/HC).
The reports say that according to the wishes of the residents of the
camps individual cooking is replacing the communal cooking - the initial
method of preparing food when the camps were first formed.According to
the UNR/HC family reunification efforts are continuing. As of June, the
Government reported that local authorities had reunited more than 5,000
family members.
The Government also continues to authorize the release of vulnerable
individuals, including more than 4,000 elderly IDPs and persons with
disabilities, to depart from IDP camps.
A total of 14 primary health care centers, four referral hospitals,
and an unspecified number of mobile health teams currently provide
health care services to IDPs in camps. Four hospitals in Vavuniya,
Mannar, Cheddikulam and Poovarasankulam provide the majority of
inpatient care for IDPs. Disease surveillance indicates that the number
of new cases of Chickenpox and infective hepatitis are decreasing, the
report added.
Meanwhile, the United States has approved an additional $6 million
for humanitarian demining in key areas in the North, covering Jaffna,
Kilinochchi, Mannar, and Vavuniya districts to facilitate IDP returns
and resettlement to areas of origin.
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