The victory over the Tamil Tigers leaves questions about the future of Sri Lanka and the condition of a quarter of a million refugees. Several humanitarian agencies have asked the government to ensure access to refugee camps controlled by government troops who suspect that rebels are hiding among the civilians. Gordon Weiss, spokesman for the UN in Sri Lanka, highlights the need for rapid resettlement of displaced persons, and the quick resolution of the ‘great tension’ between humanitarian organizations and the government.
The UN describes the situation of civilians as a ‘bloodbath’ and the Red Cross says it is an unimaginable humanitarian disaster.
The situation is better now as compared to a week ago when the fighting was at its height. The victory of the Sri Lankan government was achieved with a high cost in human terms. Refugees are now of utter concern. Over 250,000 people are displaced in camps that are in very poor condition, without enough food and medical attention.
International organizations have complained that the shelters are more like prison camps.
The UN recognizes the right of the government to separate civilians from terrorist infiltrators among them, but it insists that the process must be transparent and fast. The UN says it will not fund ‘prisons’ for the Tamil civilians. The agency believes that the government should not collectively punish the population, and that civilians should be treated as civilians.
The Red Cross, on the other hand, announced on Wednesday that it will stop sending aid for lack of access to civilians.
The Sri Lankan government’s legitimate concern for security has been causing great tension between NGOs and the government.
