DATE=5/19/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=U-N-H-C-R / SRI LANKA (L ONLY)
NUMBER=2-262559
BYLINE=LISA SCHLEIN
DATELINE=GENEVA
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: The United Nations refugee agency (U-N-H-C-R)
says it is concerned about thousands of Sri Lankan
civilians who have been displaced by fighting between
government and rebel troops in Jaffna peninsula. Lisa
Schlein reports from Geneva.
TEXT: The U-N refugee agency says most of the
displaced people are living with relatives and
friends. But, it says those who are camping in
communal centers are in a difficult situation.
U-N-H-C-R spokesman Ron Redmond says food has not been
delivered and lack of sanitation is causing concern.
/// REDMOND ACT ONE ///
Our staff based in Jaffna said that during a
visit to the Manipoy area just outside the city,
we saw that more than four-thousand people were
crammed in five communal centers which have
little water and sanitation facilities. Some
children are suffering from malaria, chickenpox,
and diarrhea. Our staff, together with some
other aid agencies, are attempting today to
deliver some urgently needed relief supplies in
that area.
/// END ACT ///
Mr. Redmond says the relief effort is being hampered
by a 24-hour curfew which was extended on Thursday
from Jaffna and two neighboring areas to cover the
entire peninsula.
He says the curfew was relaxed for three hours for two
days this week. During that period, he says there was
a big surge of people leaving their homes for safer
areas to the north and west of the peninsula. He says
now that the curfew has been extended, the movement of
people has become more restricted.
/// REDMOND ACT TWO ///
U-N-H-C-R staff have been urging authorities,
both in Jaffna and Colombo, to allow people to
seek refuge away from the fighting. Meanwhile,
in southern India, at Chennai, Indian officials
today reassured H-C-R that India would continue
to open its borders to refugees fleeing from Sri
Lanka. We were told that preparations were
being made to receive refugees and the effort is
being supported by the central government in New
Delhi.
/// END ACT ///
On Thursday, the head of the refugee agency, Sadako
Ogata, called on the Indian government to keep its
borders open to Sri Lankan refugees. Ms. Ogata issued
her appeal after receiving what she called disturbing
reports that refugees would not be allowed entry into
India. (Signed)
NEB/LS/JWH/KBK
19-May-2000 10:15 AM EDT (19-May-2000 1415 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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