Jaffna Bishop appeals for regular food supply

[TamilNet, Friday, 01 September 2006, 09:56 GMT]
Jaffna Bishop Rt. Rev.Thomas Soundaranayagam Friday appealed to the Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL) and the Liberation Tigers of Thamileelam (LTTE) to extend their assistance with the facilitation of the International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC) for the transportation of food to Jaffna peninsula. The Jaffna Bishop has pointed out in his appeal that acute shortage for food is currently prevailing in the district and action should be taken immediately to avert famine in the peninsula.

"Only one food shipment had arrived in Jaffna and the second is reportedly delayed. Another vessel with a consignment of flour from Trincomalee port is also getting delayed as no firm decision is taken regarding the facilitation of the ICRC. Hence I appeal to the GOSL and LTTE to give permission for the transport of food and other essential items to Jaffna with the facilitation of the ICRC and to extend their co-operation for the uninterrupted distribution of the same to the displaced people and others at the earliest possible to avert a major humanitarian crisis," said the Jaffna Bishop