Civilians in the conflict areas have undergone years of hardship, with some people living as internally displaced people moving from one place to another repeatedly over as long as 5-6 years. In the last few months, hostilities between the state military and the LTTE terrorists have heightened making this situation worse for the civilians than ever before.

Although the government of Sri Lanka and NGOhave provided or attempted to provide relief, not all affected have been reached given the difficult circumstances prevailing in the affected areas

The government has made several successful rescue missions to transfer civilians to safer areas, and has assured that they will rescue more civilians trapped in the conflict areas so there is minimum loss of innocent lives from the ongoing military operation.

Several unfortunate incidences have taken place while civilians move into safe areas - for instance, earlier this month a suicide bomb in a civilian transfer and registration area killed at least 10 civilians and 20 military personnel facilitating this process, and injured a large number. Another incident was when the LTTE shot at civilians who were leaving for safe zones ending in 19 deaths and 70 injured civilians. The internally displaced people are housed in safe zones, and are provided basic food and health care needs by the government. Large volumes of supplies are required, and the government circulates the requirements to NGO's that are willing to help out civilians. The internally displaced people are housed in safe zones, and are provided basic food and health care needs by the government. Large volumes of supplies are required, and the government circulates the requirements to NGO's that are willing to help out.