These include soap, washing powder, toothbrushes, other toiletries, undergarments and sanitary supplies.

Women and girls uprooted by the conflict in northern Sri Lanka need assistance to maintain their health and dignity, said the UNFPA. The Fund is collaborating with district health authorities to provide personal hygiene supplies to displaced people in the Vavuniya district.

In addition, UNFPA has provided over 20 beds to furnish the proposed post-natal care unit at the Ayurvedic Hospital in Paipeymadu, Vavuniya, where post-partum patients and infants will be able to stay during their recovery.

“Women and girls have unique needs,” said UNFPA Representative Lene K. Christiansen. “UNFPA is working with government and non-governmental partners to ensure that these needs are not overlooked in the current crisis,” she added.

Under its humanitarian programme, the Fund continues to provide maternity kits to displaced pregnant women at 37 weeks, to safeguard the hygiene of mothers and newborns after delivery. UNFPA is also supporting mobile reproductive health clinics run by the Family Planning Association of Sri Lanka, offering displaced persons prenatal and postnatal care, voluntary family planning, counseling and prevention of sexually transmitted infections and HIV/AIDS.