ICRC Ship to reach Jaffna this Evening: Stranded Foreigners have to Wait Longer

24 August 2006 (New Delhi)

ICRC spokesman Peter Krakolining has told this writer from Colombo that the relief cargo ship that set sail for Jaffna from Colombo with 1500 MT of civilian supplies on Tuesday, will arrive at the Kankesanthurai Harbour late Thursday evening.

He described the food situation in Jaffna as "precarious" and said that food supplies had run dangerously low in Jaffna.

" The ship had a capasity of 4500 MT but we loaded just 1500 MT so that the ship could sail faster. Movement on the ground in Jaffna for our personnel has become very difficult. Military activity is still going on. "

Krakolining said further shipments of civilian supplies are being arranged by the ICRC. He said the ICRC was in the process of tying up logistics.

"Security gurantees for the ship from both sides, insurance, getting the supplies coordinating with various government agencies. Things take time. But this is the first of many shipments that we hope to undertake."

However, he said it may still take over 24 hours before the stranded foreign passport holders and aid workers are evacuated from Jaffna. He said the ICRC is yet to tie up logistics for this operation. Separate ferries are being arranged for the evacuation.