Colombo – Intensifying hostilities between the Sri Lankan Army and the rebel Tamil Tigers (LTTE) have led to the displacement of up to 8,000 people in Vaharai, Batticaloa district, Eastern Sri Lanka.

IOM, which has had an office in Batticaloa since the 2004 tsunami, is working with the government, UN agencies and the NGO Foundation for Co-Existence (FCE) to help displaced families, providing transport, food and emergency shelter.

Since Friday IOM and its partners have bussed over 1,500 internally displaced people (IDPs) from areas where fighting is taking place to safer locations in Batticaloa district.

The operation is ongoing and many IDPs are still waiting for help to leave the area. Others are leaving with any transport available, including bicycles, tractors and bullock carts, according to IOM Batticaloa Head of Office I. Sylvester.

At the request of the local authorities, IOM and FCE have also been delivering food to nearly 700 newly displaced families in five locations, including Aalankulam, Mavadyvembu, Kirimutty and two other welfare centres.

IOM's trucks this weekend delivered essential items including food, water, shelter and sanitation materials to IDP sites on behalf of the government, UN agencies and NGOs.

"Batti is very tense now and with the fighting audible in the city since Sunday, the situation is obviously very fluid. We plan to respond to humanitarian needs as they evolve," says Sylvester.

IOM's operations in Batticaloa are funded by UNICEF, the Australian Government, the European Commission Humanitarian Aid Office (ECHO) and the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF).

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For more information, please contact: Passanna Gunasekera,  IOM Sri Lanka, Tel: +94 5333 432 Ext. 213, E-mail: pgunasekera@iomsrilanka.org