UN food convey reaches conflict zone in Sri Lanka

Last updated: October 18, 2008

Colombo, Sri Lanka (BBN)- A major United Nations food convoy arrived on Friday in northern Sri Lanka to assist over 200,000 displaced persons after being forced to turn back previous day due to fresh fighting in the area between Government forces and the rebel Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).

The 50-truck World Food Program (WFP) fleet re-entered the region known as the Vanni following the UN receiving renewed assurances this morning from both parties to the conflict that the convoy would be able to proceed safely, according to a UN press statement.

Carrying 750 tons of food for the estimated 230,000 civilians displaced behind the lines of confrontation in the districts of Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu, this is the second convoy in as many weeks and part of an ongoing UN effort to supply humanitarian aid to civilians moving to avoid fighting.

The UN on Friday reiterated its full commitment to assisting the Sri Lankan government with efforts to provide humanitarian assistance to displaced persons and those trapped in the conflict zones.

BBN/SI/SS/AD-18October08-2:36 PM (BST)

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