VAVUNIYA , Sri Lanka ( CNN ) -- After visiting a displacement camp in Sri Lanka on Saturday and flying over the site of the last battle in the country 's recently ended civil war , U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called the sites `` appalling . '' Internally displaced Sri Lankan watch through barbed wire during a visit by the U.N. secretary-general . `` I have traveled around the world and visited similar places , but this is by far the most appalling scenes I have seen , '' Ban told CNN . `` I sympathize fully with all of the displaced persons . '' Ban called for better humanitarian aid after interviewing some of the people regarding shortages of water and medicine . Ban toured Manik Farm , a sprawling camp for internally displaced people in the country 's north , days after Sri Lanka declared victory in a 25-year civil war against the Tamil Tigers rebels . About 250,000 to 300,000 people are refugees in the country , according to humanitarian groups and U.N. figures . Some in the camp have experienced fierce fighting in recent months , saying they did not believe at points that they were going to survive . `` I have seen the complete devastation here , and there must have been in the crossfire many civilian casualties . There simply must have been , '' Ban told CNN 's Sara Sidner . The Sri Lankan government has said it does n't believe many civilians were injured or killed in the fighting . While the war 's end elicited celebrations in some parts of the country , humanitarian groups and the United Nations worry over those uprooted by the fighting . Ban arrived in the South Asian island nation Friday , saying he came to offer help and partnership . `` I hope my visit today can help begin a process of national recovery , renewal and reconciliation for all Sri Lankans , '' Ban said in a written statement issued Friday . `` That is why I am here . '' Ban met with Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa and asked that humanitarian organizations be given unrestricted access to provide more aid to the displaced . The president seemed open to the idea , Ban said . Ban said earlier he would urge the government to expedite the screening and processing of refugees and ensure that displaced camps have adequate supplies of food , medicine and water . CNN 's Sara Sidner contributed to this story .
Summit : Ban Ki - moon says camp contains ` ` the most appalling scenes I have seen '' NEW : Ban asks president to grant unrestricted access to humanitarian agencies . About 250,000 to 300,000 people are refugees in the camp , aid agencies say . Sri Lankan government has declared victory in the country 's ongoing civil war .