Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Colombo (Agenzia Fides) – The non-government organizations, including Caritas, are making a great effort in trying to respond to the precarious situation of displaced civilians in Sri Lanka. Following the final attack launched by the national army, which has in recent days entered into the “No Fire Zone,” the humanitarian situation has suffered great drawbacks: over 50,000 civilians have been led to safe quarters by the army, which has left them in make-shift refugee camps, but there is a constant influx of people and the number of cadavers left by military convoys increases.
The report on the number of dead and injured continues growing and two Catholic priests were severely injured as they tried to offer humanitarian aid to the people. One is Fr. T.R. Vasanthaseelan, Director de Caritas of Vanni (whose legs have been amputated) and Fr. James Pathinathan, member of the National Commission for Justice, Peace, and Development, also working on rescue efforts.
In this drama, the international institutions and NGOs have made every effort in trying to meet the needs of the thousands of people in need of water, food, and medicine.
The camps that have been set up are, in fact, insufficient and government humanitarian aid is scarce, given the constant influx of refugees, which government authorities say was impossible to foresee.
According to the previously made plans, the refugees were supposed to have gone towards the districts of Vavuniya and Jaffna in 48 hours, however, it is estimated that there are over 100,000, which has placed government aid to the test.
Thus, the humanitarian aid organizations have taken action: the UN High Commissioner for Refugees has sent goods and personnel, where the violent clashes between the army and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Elam (LTTE) continue. The UNHCR, along with other collaborators such as UNICEF, the Red Cross, Caritas, and others, are all working to prepare lodging and offer assistance to the recently arrived refugees, while there is a surveillance team working to protect them, as well. The NGOs are trying to find other possible areas for lodging, also in the District of Mannar, for making more room in the already existing areas.
The civilians that are still trapped in the area of crossfire is a cause for deep concern. Various appeals have been made to the LTTE, asking them to put down their weapons and allow the people to immediately move to safer ground. Both sides are also being asked to respect international humanitarian rights and ensure the absolute priority of civilian safety. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 23/4/2009)
