The civil unrest and ongoing war between LTTE and the Sri Lankan government has affected relief efforts in Sri Lanka. Reports from Sri Lanka are largely about damages in the South and South East. It is only after four days of the calamity that we have received our first reports from the East and North East. Images show stark emptiness, an absence of people.

While some media reports from Jaffna and Trincomalee claim that the tidal waves have not affected landmines, local NGOs claim that in fact, tidal waves have washed landmines from this war torn region, displacing them to another part. The population once knew where the mines were and which area was safe; they have no clue now. Even locals are afraid to venture around. Aid agencies are afraid of venturing to these parts despite multiple requests from LTTE for help. For most part, helicopters have air-dropped food and water. Aid agencies and officials are yet to extensively survey the damage in the East and the North East.

Doctors are scarce in the East and North Easter parts of Sri Lanka and between two and three doctors are catering to the needs of about 5000 people. Relief agencies are having trouble in airlifting doctors from other parts of Sri Lanka to this region.

Dengue fever has already begun to affect children. While rain has provided some relief in terms of freshwater supply, the contamination of local wells and water sources is threatening widespread outbreak of waterborne illnesses. Local groups are using rainwater harvesting as best as they can. Yet, there is a critical need for the supply of fresh water.

The ongoing civil war had already limited movement of goods into certain parts of the island nation. Now, with food in short supply, the situation is critical and adding to the reasons for the outbreak of disease.

Even in the midst of this calamity, while civic bodies are demanding that the LTTE and the Sri Lankan government collaborate and coordinate relief efforts, old habits continue. Both these groups continue to blame each other for the absence of systematic relief efforts. Relief efforts continue to be hampered.

At this point, civic society groups in Batticaloa, Trincomallee, Colombo and elsewhere are trying hard to re-establish links to the East and North East sections of Sri Lanka and beginning to mobilize supplies for drugs, food and water.