The shortage of fuel has affected agriculture and the Government Agents warn that the food situation is likely to deteriorate further. Reports say that the Vanni is being denied development assistance. The Defence Ministry has delayed permits to transport shelter materials to the Vanni and the GAs are unable to carry out essential repairs to refugee huts before monsoon rains in November. The shortage of medicines continues. Three refugee children died of diarrhoea in Akkarayankulam hospital in early October.
Cholera is reported in some areas and there are fears of an epidemic.
Civilians returning to Kilinochchi, after its capture by the LTTE in late September, say they found human remains. Over 60 people visiting homes disappeared during Army control of the area. Six returnees to the town in October were injured by landmines. Further west in Mallavi, shells seriously wounded a man and a pregnant woman on 12 October. Two other civilians, M Nageswaran and V Suthan, were killed by shells fired from the Elephant Pass Army camp in late October.