The Situation in Jaffna

by a Tamil in the know in Jaffna, November 3, 2006

The major problems are

1. Shortage of food: This is severely affecting the poor who usually spend 80-90% of their daily income on food. The income of the people is also limited as a result of restriction on fishing and agriculutre (in the HSZ and adjoining camps) The basic food items like Rice, sugar, Dhall [lentils] have increased by 5 times (Rice is 150/= Sugar is 350/= etc) As a result the poor are having food only once a day and some once in two to three days. The food items which the government says it sends, are insufficient. Out of the food that is transported through KKS harbour only a portion of it reaches the civilians.
2. Shortage of Drugs: The Health Ministry states that the allocations   requested have been sent. It is true and the Heads of Medical Institutions are made to say it. But the fact is we had a very large population taking    drugs from the private sector [before the embargo]. The private ector has not been able to bring drugs from Colombo. Therefore, the sector that was using drugs from the private sector are now eating into the hospital drugs. Finally, the poor are sufferring without drugs like; anti-hypertensives, cardiac, anti-diabetic drugs.
3. Shortage of fuel: Fuel is given in limited quantities. In the past month, I have got only 2 litres of petrol. You can imagine the plight of the ordinary person! As a result of fuel shortage, transport is affected. Electricity is available for about 6 hours a day (5-7 am & 6-10pm). Sometimes this is also cut down. Buses are also limited.   
4. Curfew: This is imposed from 6 pm to 5 am. Law-abiding citizens cannot move about. But robberries, killings, etc. all take place during that time. No one is arrested!

Reopening of the A9 is the only immediate solution. Shipping is not a cheap or easy transport. It will probably help the government to control and help someone to pilfer what is coming in. The ships can also be used to transport items other than food for the civillians.

Further, during the next few months, the monsoon will set in and ship transport will be interupted.

If the A9 is not opened, we will have major health problems. There are 60 camps with displaced persons. 24 of them house the displaced after August 2006. Among them. there are about 50 pregnant mothers. In follow up on two mothers who delivered last month, one baby was 2300 g and the other 2550g. The mothers are malnourished. This situation is going to worsen.

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