Access into Sri Lankan relief camps improves: UN

United Nations humanitarian wing has said that access to camps in Vavuniya, housing thousands of civilians displaced by the recently ended conflict in Sri Lanka, has improved, though some delays are still being experienced.

United Nations humanitarian wing has said that access to camps in Vavuniya, housing thousands of civilians displaced by the recently ended conflict in Sri Lanka, has improved, though some delays are still being experienced.

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In addition, work on an additional camp in the area has begun, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said, adding that workers are clearing more areas for future camps.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon told reporters on Thursday that the Sri Lankan Government has addressed some concerns he raised during his recent visit to the country over humanitarian access to the camps.

"That said, conditions in the camps remain difficult, and I will continue to press for improvement, not least in vital areas such as freedom of movement and family reunification," he said.

Last month, the Government declared that its military operation against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) had ended, and that all Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) had left the conflict zone. The majority of those who fled are said to be in Vavuniya.