NGOs confirm medicine supplies have been received in the Vanni. Food lorries were denied entry for several days in mid-November after fighting erupted north of Vavuniya. Problems of distribution continue. Government officials in Colombo continue to sit on NGO permits despite repeated representations. Seven people, including five children, died of septicaemia in Akkarayankulam hospital in Kilinochchi District in late October and early November.
Doctors say undernutrition is making people susceptible to disease.
In November the LTTE launched several attacks west and north of Vavuniya. The Army has denied Tiger claims that 31 military posts were destroyed. Seven Tigers died in the attack. The Army and the Tigers clashed three days later near the civilians crossing point at Nochchimoddai north of Vavuniya town. Three soldiers were killed.