Since 19 February the only humanitarian aid reaching the civilians caught in the conflict has been by sea by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The last road convoy, led by the UN, reached the area held by the LTTE on 29 January. This is not enough. We have been pressing the Sri Lankan Government at the highest level to allow proper humanitarian access and protection. We have also pressed them and the LTTE to agree a ceasefire long enough to allow proper civilian evacuation, to which the response has been disappointing.
As the International Development and Foreign Secretaries said in their parliamentary statement of 2 April, the humanitarian situation is deplorable. As the conflict reaches a climax, civilians are now managing to flee in increasing numbers but we remain concerned for their welfare and protection and continue to press for them to be cared for properly.
We have provided £5 million in humanitarian aid funding through UN agencies and the ICRC, the only organisations able to carry out any relief and protection work in or around the conflict zone.
As indicated by the Prime Minister in the House on 22 April, my colleague Mike Foster is currently in Sri Lanka to see conditions for himself. He will make further representations to both sides to respect humanitarian law and allow proper relief and protection. The UK Government will allocate a further £2.5 million in humanitarian assistance in the coming weeks.