Vanni crisis and the international community’s concerns!

- Thinakkural Editorial

(Auugust 30, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) The military operations that are intensified in the Vanni region has caused the displacement of people to such an extent that their basic needs are unable to be met.

The situation has worsened due to the continuing military operations and tightened security in the transport of the essential commodities to the area.

However, there is a ray of hope following the appeal by the UN and NGOs. The appeal is that the countries that provide assistance must increase their quantum of assistance.

It is clear that the international community is very keenly observing the human tragedy in Vanni following the war and the international community is concerned about the sufferings of the people.

It is encouraging to find that the international community is determined to extend its assistance to the suffering people although it is unable to stop the war. It is also learnt that the UN has taken a decision to increase its quantum of money to the displaced people.

This shows that the UN has taken into consideration that the number of displaced people has increased unexpectedly. The provision of help does not keep pace with the rate of displacement of innocent civilians.

At a meeting of the government officials and the NGO representatives, the problems of the displaced people were discussed in detail. The immediate needs of the displaced people were identified. It was revealed that the NGOs are not in a state of preparedness to handle the serious situation.

One of the reasons for this sorry plight is the approach by the government. The functioning of most of the NGOs has been crippled since they are branded as ‘Tigers’. Further restrains have been placed on the functioning of certain other NGOs. Transport of goods by the NGOs for the relief work and for the implementation of their programmes is limited.

It is in such a context that the government departments and NGOs are unable to meet the demands of the displaced people. The government which had been discriminatory in helping the displaced Tamil people acts according to its political and military agenda. Therefore, it cannot be expected that the government will take necessary measures to meet the needs of the displaced people.

It is here the role of the international community is essential and urgent. International community that has identified the needs of the displaced people must ensure that the relief reaches the affected people in an adequate measure and expeditiously.

(An English translation of the Editorial in Thinakkural, a Tamil daily, based in Colombo. )- Sri Lanka Guardian