31.  A government spokesman said the LTTE was holding up trucks in areas under their control and preventing the transport of essential food and medicine to the refugees.

32.  A second initiative, in which the force will play a pivotal role, involves getting in essential food and financial aid to restore the economy.

33.  Bread however has become an essential staple food for the increasing number of people suffering from economic hardship, replacing rice and other starch foods.

34.  Despite ongoing airlifts of essential food and drugs, hunger remains a problem for those living in Gondama camp.

35.  The embargo bans all trade with Iraq, although Baghdad is allowed to import essential food and medicines after authorisation from the UN sanctions committee.

36.  The government set a price ceiling on essential foods, which promptly disappeared from the shelves.