JRS says the Army uses food to draw civilians towards its areas while the rebels use it to recruit and train youth. JRS also points out that shelter needs are great due to the restrictions on the supply of shelter material to the Vanni. Jaffna Bishop says 1,240 families which fled from the Jaffna war zone into the Vanni have not been provided any relief on allegations that they are LTTE supporters.
According to other reports, patients sent to Vavuniya hospital from Vanni hospitals are being returned without any treatment as a result of shortage of medicines and medical equipment. The Health Ministry has still not paid the Rs 16.6 million ($212,000) allocated for Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu hospitals in 1999 for refurbishment. In late August, the Army refused to allow important medical equipment, including X-ray machines, for Mallavi hospital.
In Vavuniya, refugees in eight government camps began a hunger strike on 10 August, demanding regular relief provision. There has been a delay in relief provision since 15 June. Government officers who went to discuss the issue were detained by the refugees and had to be rescued by police. People allege that the police attacked them and wounded a youth. Reports say that 1,648 families in the camps have not received any relief for over four months.
Seven police were wounded in an LTTE landmine attack in Vavuniya town on 6 August. In another Tiger mine attack on an Airforce truck on 1 September at Velankulam, 14 miles north-west of Vavuniya, 14 military personnel were killed and eight wounded.