United Nations Radio

The United Nations is relieved that the fighting is over in Sri Lanka.

Women in Sri Lanka

That according to the UN Emergency Relief Coordinator John Holmes.

The government of Sri Lanka on Monday declared an end to the conflict after it said it had killed the leader of the Tamil Tigers and took control of the entire country for the first time since 1983.

Mr. Holmes expresses the hope that all the civilians are out of the conflict zone and are heading towards safety.

But the United Nations Emergency Relief Coordinator told reporters it's hard to be absolutely sure about that and his office is still trying to verify the situation of the civilians.

"But we believe that the civilians are actually out of that zone on the basis of what we know at the moment. What that means is that there are around 220,000 people altogether who have already reached the camps. That, I think leaves, next to 20,000 in the last two three days. And we think another 40 to 60,000 are on the way to the camps through the crossing point at Omen Thai along the way to the camps near Vavunya, particularly the major camp at Menik Farm."

Mr. Holmes says this poses major challenges in terms of providing shelter, basic services, food, clean water and medical services to the displaced people.

He identifies family reunion as another issue that needs to be addressed for the old residents of the camps and the new arrivals.

Donn Bobb, United Nations Radio.

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