Disaster Management Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe yesterday said the biggest challenge faced by the government where the IDP are concerned was to provide them shelter and it has overcome this problem.

Samarasinghe addressing a news conference said there was an immediate need for tents with the huge influx of civilians crossing to the cleared areas and on an appeal made by Parliamentarian Basil Rajapaksa, the UNHCR has agreed to provide 20,000 tents and UNHCR will transport another 20,000 tents from Jordon and Dubai at their own expense.

"The NGO’s and INGOS have agreed to provide whatever tents they have at their disposal for the use of the IDPs," he said.

Meanwhile Samarasinghe said the government has also requested the World Food Programme (WFP) to provide a better food supplement than the usual food pack they provided and it has been agreed.

As at yesterday morning the number of civilians who have crossed to the safety of the government controlled areas during the last four days was 105,274 and the total number of people moved in to the government controlled areas since 20th April was 193,960. This includes the 10,880 evacuated by the ICRC as well he said adding that this figure is divided in to two categories. 1) Those who had been shot by the LTTE or suffering from other health problems -4,257 and bystanders 6, 144 with a ratio of 60%-40%.