The Department for International Development (DFID) estimates that between 200,000 and 250,000 people are currently displaced in the north of Sri Lanka in an area known as the Vanni. This population is concentrated in an area to the east of Kilinochchi, living in very difficult conditions and almost entirely dependent on humanitarian supplies. The delays in sending humanitarian convoys and safety along the route from Vavunia are major concerns, and there is no permanent UN or NGO presence in the Vanni.
For this reason it is difficult to estimate accurately the numbers without access to health care and clean water. However, local hospitals have reported high numbers of cases of diarrhoea and other water borne diseases which would reflect poor access to clean water. Most displaced persons are reduced to defecating in the open due to lack of sanitation. There is generally access to immediate food supplies, but lack of shelter for at least 50,000 people is becoming an increasing concern with the monsoon season approaching. The situation remains very difficult and we continue to press for increased humanitarian access.