Half Kilinochchi under-5s malnourished

[TamilNet, Sunday, 31 January 1999, 19:54 GMT]
Fifty-two percent of children under 5 years of age at the welfare centres in Kilinochchi district are affected by malnutrition according to a survey conducted by officials of the Medical Officer of Health (MOH) division in the area.

The survey results are detailed in a situation report prepared by the Government Agent of Kilinochchi for the month of December 1998.

The Government Agent, Mr.T.Rasanayagam, has said in his report that there are 47 welfare centers in the district to accommodate 25,646 persons belonging to 6202 displaced refugees.

It is estimated that there are more than 8000 children in these camps and the survey was conducted among the children under 5 years of age, officials said.

Extracts from the report state:

"The maintenance of 47 welfare centres in done by the Commissioner General of Essential Services (CGES) from 1991.

Rethatching of huts, primary health facilities, water, sanitation facilities, temporary class rooms for displaced students, cooking utensils for the refugees, mats and other amenities are provided by the CGES.

However last year (1998) most of the items of the maintenance of these welfare centres were not provided or attended.

Rupees 5 million for rethatching of roof of 2886 juts in welfare centres had been granted during November 1998, due to grant effore of the CGES.

More monetary provisions is required to meet the basic needs of these welfare centres".