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Retrieval of bodies hampered due to heavy rain and accessibility in Batticaloa-Amparai

A serious threat to the environment and diseases in epidemic proportion is feared due to the delay in retrieving decomposing bodies from the sites of the disaster in Batticaloa-Amparai. Heavy rain and damaged access are hampering the retrieval process and bodies of the victims are said to be in highly decomposed condition.

Volunteer teams comprising LTTE members and students of the Jaffna University Medical Faculty despatched from the North to back up the operation have already started working on the more demanding needs. Conditions of transport being very poor, bodies are being either buried or cremated at the sites.

Since sea water has seeped into almost all the wells in the affected locations, providing safe drinking water has become a major problem for the TRO volunteers who are maintaining the welfare centres. Meanwhile, warning of a further tidal wave attack created panic in the East and two infants are said to be dead in the stampede when people were running to safer locations.

Relief operations in the Mullaittivu and Kilinochchi districts are being done on a coordinated basis by the Task Force units functioning under the steering committee with TRO taking the lead role in maintaining the welfare centres. Tamil Eelam Health Service volunteers are readily available in each of the welfare centres to guide the displaced in health care. LTTE cadres mobilised for relief and rescue operations are still working in the locations in retrieving bodies and helping the local people in whatever way possible.

31 December 2004

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