The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in a statement released yesterday (April 17), said that hospitals in the non-liberated areas in Wanni and North are running short of basic medical supplies.

The Red Cross report attributes the problem as the lack of regular deliveries, limited number of staffers and medical equipment, but states it had managed to get supplies from the government.

"The supplies of medicine are safely dispatched up to Vavuniya but what happens beyond that point is unknown", Dr. Athula Kahandagamage, Secretary, Ministry of Health was quoted as saying to press.

He also commended the ICRC for helping out with the distribution of medicine and other equipment in the non-liberated areas. According to defence officials, the LTTE is to be held totally responsible for the suffering caused to many including children and women in the non-liberated northern patches as it is well known that the outfit is shamelessly looting government provided medical supplies and equipment for the treatment of its battle wounded.

Faced with severe battle casualties in the Wanni front the outfit has recently threatened every individual and household under its influence to giveaway a blood pint for the treatment of its cadres. Meanwhile, the floods caused by the torrential rains recently have further worsened the situation. Many local staffers working for humanitarian relief are been threatened by LTTE elements in these areas and the basic medical supplies, drugs and equipment provided by the government is taken away by the outfit once the consignments reach the non-liberated zones, the official further added.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is assisting hospitals in Anuradhapura, Batticaloa, Jaffna, Kilinochchi, Mannar, Mullaittiuvu and Vavuniya Districts with medical equipment and supplies for the treatment of sick and war-wounded people.