Humanitarian organisations have key role to play

The statement released by the National Peace Council, Colombo based Non-Government Organisation follows;

(September 12, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) Sri Lanka is today facing a serious humanitarian crisis especially in the conflict zones in the northern Vanni region. This follows the escalation of military action by the government and LTTE and the government’s decision to order the immediate relocation of humanitarian workers in the area on the grounds that their safety can no longer be guaranteed. The government’s decision to discuss this matter, demonstrate flexibility, and permit the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to remain in Kilinochchi is a positive step . The National Peace Council urges the government to demonstrate the same flexibility with humanitarian aid agencies.

During previous phases of the armed conflict successive governments have obtained the assistance of both local and international humanitarian organisations to ensure that essential supplies reach the affected people. Humanitarian aid agencies in LTTE controlled territory have provided critical support to the government by dispensing aid to both displaced and local civilians living in those areas. The National Peace Council is concerned that withdrawal of the humanitarian organisations will create a vacuum that the government alone cannot fill. The humanitarian outlook will become extremely bleak for those displaced and local civilians left behind.

The primary duty of any democratic government is to ensure the security and sustenance of the people it governs. No section of the people, whether or not they are under rebel control, can be excluded from this democratic duty. If circumstances do not allow the government to fulfill this duty, it needs to permit others to do so. The government needs to treat international humanitarian agencies as its partners filling a void that it is unable to fulfil. Their work needs to be facilitated and not curtailed.

The National Peace Council calls on the government to ensure that specialist international agencies with a humanitarian mandate, such as the UNHCR and World Food Programme that are specially trained to work in conflict zones, are permitted to remain in the Vanni region where displaced and other war affected people are living. If these organisations are prepared to take the risk of continuing to work in war zones as part of their mandates, they need to be supported and encouraged in this action. This includes cooperative approaches to travel and visa applications and positive public messages of support for the efforts of the UN and other humanitarian agencies.

The National Peace Council also calls on the LTTE to create a supportive environment to assist humanitarian agencies to provide for the basic needs of displaced people, by not removing their assets and equipment and diverting humanitarian supplies. The LTTE also needs to ensure the safe and secure access of humanitarian workers so that they may fulfill their humanitarian mandate.

The government and LTTE must also exercise restraint and take all necessary precautions to ensure that civilians are not harmed as a result of their fighting. This is the crux of International Humanitarian Law. We call on both parties to cooperate with aid agencies to establish a humanitarian corridor so that civilians can move to safety and access humanitarian assistance. Safe movement should be guaranteed by the presence of independent and neutral observers such as the ICRC. - Sri Lanka Guardian