The World Vision charity is currently trying to offer the medicine, food and shelter for the thousands of civilians currently pouring out of the war zone in northern Sri Lanka, seeking safety in temporary displacement camps. The increase in fighting and movement of people comes as Asia’s longest running conflict draws to a close.
The Government of Sri Lanka has fought the Liberation of Tamil Tigers of Eelam, who have been battling for an independent state, for almost 30 years. In the past few months Government forces have effectively cornering them in the northern coastal town of Mullaitivu, but fighting continues to rage.
World Vision Lanka’s national director, Suresh Bartlett, said –
Tens of thousands of people have been flooding into government-controlled areas. We know from those who have fled earlier that these new waves of internally displaced survivors will be in great need, having been caught in the middle of a war zone for weeks. There is great need for medicines, food and shelter. Humanitarian agencies want to be ramping up their responses to help.
Thousands of civilians have been caught up in the areas surrounding the war zone, with more turning up each day. More than 65,000 people are being housed in temporary camps in the Jaffna, Mannar and Vavuniya districts. Most of these are living in 16 camps throughout the Vavuniya district.
World Vision is currently providing food packets to more than 25,000 internally displaced people along with 70,000 litres of water. They are also working to set up temporary learning spaces with activities for the hundreds of children affected by the conflict.
