May 31, Colombo: The United Nations in cooperation with the Sri Lankan government are taking steps to improve basic conditions in the camps for the 290,000 Internally Displaced Persons from the Vanni in Northern Sri Lanka.

The UN said the relief operations have involved 15 government ministries, more than 30 national and international Non-Government Organization partners and 12 United Nations agencies.

According to the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), priority is given to decongest the overcrowded camps, construct more latrines and improve the water supply so that international standards are met.

Over the past several weeks 22,800 tents and emergency shelters have been provided. Another 15,000 tents and more shelters are needed to provide adequate living space for IDPs.

OCHA said the need for speedy family reunification, improved freedom of movement and civil administration of the camps are also priority areas of concern.

The UN said its major goal is to support the Sri Lankan government to provide basic assistance needs for IDPs, and work with them to support these families to go back to their homes as soon as possible.

According to OCHA, providing water and sanitation is a continuing challenge. Only half of the latrines needed have been constructed and about 75 percent of the overall drinking and bathing needs have been met.

Children needs have been given priority with the establishment of 63 child friendly spaces for over 20,000 children. Some 40,000 children have access to education and have been provided with education materials, covering approximately 40 percent of needed, OCHA reported adding that a program has been established to support former child soldiers.

Sri Lankan military ceased its operations against the LTTE terrorist group last week after capturing all the LTTE-occupied land and eliminating all the senior leaders of the outfit. The military operation successfully rescued nearly 300,000 civilians held as human shields by the LTTE.