Growing Refugee Crisis in Sri Lanka

PRESS RELEASE

April 24 2009

Growing Refugee Crisis in Sri Lanka

While the war in northern Sri Lanka may be nearly over, its impact on local civilians is continuing to escalate with thousands of families trapped in a so called safe zone, still controlled by the separatist Tamil Tigers (LTTE). An estimated 60,000 have escaped, at great risk, to Government controlled areas.

TEAR Fund is working with its partner World Concern to relieve the suffering of these conflict victims. They are also working on longer term peace and reconciliation projects with multi-ethnic groups of dairy farmers near the coastal towns of Trincomalee and Batticaloa.

"Our local partner on the ground is preparing for a major humanitarian disaster with up to 120,000 displaced. Thousands have been injured and the International Committee of the Red Cross has transported casualties by boat to hospitals where TEAR Fund’s partner is attending to their basic needs. In the long run Sri Lanka will require significant assistance to rebuild the shattered north. How the affected civilians are treated both now and in the future will help set the conditions for a lasting peace," comments former World Concern Country Director Ian McInnes, a New Zealander just returned from Sri Lanka.

TEAR Fund is currently accepting donations for its work in the region including humanitarian assistance for refugees.

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