Displaced seek refuge in jungles

[TamilNet, Sunday, 21 March 1999, 16:50 GMT]
More than four thousand civilians who fled Vidaththaltheevu, Aandankulam etc., due to heavy Sri Lankan Army (SLA) shelling since last week have sought refuge in the jungles of Kalliady said Mannar Kachcheri sources today. They said that the local school was filled with refugees when the main body of the people who fled the SLA shelling arrived here this weekend.

The Kalliady school is the only permanent building in the area to shelter refugees.

The interior hamlet of Kalliady is about 7 kilometers east of Vidaththaltheevu.

The Mannar additional government agent has made arrangements to provide cooked food for these refugees now.

The UNHCR, according to the Mannar TamilNet correspondent, has indicated that it can provide relief to the displaced population only if the people move into permanent buildings or structures.

The Mannar additional GA told the TamilNet correspondent today that measures are being taken to send dry rations to the civilians who are in the jungles of Kalliady.

The majority of these civilians have sought shelter under shady trees in the jungle as there are no tents available in the area said the Mannar TamilNet correspondent.

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