The convoy brought 600 MT of food, water and items such as tents, hygiene kits and medicines for distribution to more than 30,000 displaced people who have fled the fighting in the northern part of the district.

"Many difficulties had to be overcome to organize this convoy", said Toon Vandenhove, head of the ICRC delegation in Colombo, "but thanks to meticulous preparation, the security guarantees provided by both parties to the conflict and the active involvement of many people, we finally succeeded in reaching the thousands of displaced people, who are primarily in urgent need of food".

The relief operation received support from volunteers of the Sri Lanka Red Cross Society and an Italian Red Cross team, and also from other humanitarian organizations currently operating in the country, including the World Food Programme, UNICEF, UNHCR and World Vision.

The ICRC also provided medical supplies and diesel for the Vakarai hospital’s generator, while the Italian Red Cross set up a mobile clinic to treat displaced people spread over several sites.

The ICRC has been working in Sri Lanka since 1989, in particular in the north-east of the country. Its activities include acting as a neutral intermediary, protecting and assisting the civilian population, visiting detainees, restoring contact between members of separated families and promoting international humanitarian law.