Jaffna NGOs help displaced in Vanni

[TamilNet, Sunday, 15 November 1998, 19:35 GMT]
The NGO consortium of Jaffna decided unanimously at its annual general meeting, today, that all its members should do their best to help the people in the Vanni facing severe shortages of food.

The President of the Jaffna NGO consortium, Prof. V.K Kanesalingam, told the gathering that many people have died in the Wanni due to the ban imposed by the government on food and essential items and that many more are on the verge of starving to death.

He said that famine is imminent in the region.

The Professor lashed out at the PA regime saying that the Rehabilitation and Reconstruction authority, which comes under the direct purview of the Sri Lankan President and government, do nothing to assist NGOs in Jaffna and do not even consider their views.

He said that it is imperative that every one should do their best to help starving population in the Wanni.

The members of the consortium unanimously resolved to collect money and other items in Jaffna for the people of the Vanni affected by the current food shortages.

The AGM of the consortium began around 9.30 a.m. this morning at the Sri Lanka Red Cross Society (SLRC) office on Kandy road and concluded at 3 p.m. in the afternoon.

Prof.V.K Kanesalingam is the Dean of the faculty of Science at the Jaffna University and also the head of the Jaffna branch of the SLRC.