Colombo (PTI): Nearly 50 metric tonnes of emergency relief materials, which would be distributed among tens of thousands of Tamil civilians fleeing the war zone in northern Sri Lanka, arrived here on Monday.

The airlifted relief supplies, which landed here on Monday will be immediately sent to the conflict zone, a statement from the UNICEF said.

The relief material includes nutritional supplies, water treatment units for safe water, oral rehydration salts and medical assistance.

"Sri Lanka is facing a humanitarian crisis that requires a rapid response," UNICEF's Representaive in Sri Lanka Philippe Duamelle said in the statement.

"We estimate that there are approximately a quarter of a million people who need help and they need it quickly," Duamelle added.

The UN agency has also provided hygiene kits, education kits and helped in constructing emergency paediatric and maternity ward in the region.