The arrival of monsoon rains is making difficult living conditions even worse for displaced Sri Lankans living in the Manik Farm camp. Heavy rainfall has caused flooding which has compounded conditions of overcrowding, lack of food, water, sanitation, and health care.
“The situation is heart melting,” says Sri Lanka Country Program Manager K. Thampu, "IDPs are so tired, frustrated...and the vulnerable IDPs are suffering the most. Imagine being disabled and trying to use the toilets when latrines and walk ways are flooded."
Thousands continue to live in the camp following the conflict between the government of Sri Lanka and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, which worsened over the last year and climaxed in May with the surrender of the LTTE.
People living in the camps struggle to cope with flood conditions. Mothers, trying to keep their children dry, take desks from the school buildings to use as beds and carry their children around all day long. The rains have flooded toilets and have held up food deliveries as trucks are unable to travel through the mud.
While the heaviest rains have passed, intermittent rain continues with more predicted. A Sri Lankan publication writes, “rains have exacerbated the hellish conditions of camps.” Aid agencies are doing all they can to increase protection for women and children and advocate with the government for the speedy return of families to their home communities.
LWR AND PARTNERS ARE HELPING
Working with partners on the ground, LWR continues to respond to the needs of the people living in Manik Farm. During this rain season, we are working to continue feeding 27,000 people a day through community kitchens and another 1,000 in hospitals, even when food deliveries are delayed. In addition we continue to:
Providing essential items such as hygiene kits and anti-malarial bed nets to 4,000 displaced children;
Operating a pre-school program for approximately 4,500 displaced children; Supporting an emergency education program for 25,000 displaced school-aged children
Advocating for the return of displaced people to their home communities.
YOUR HELP URGENTLY NEEDED
LWR needs to raise $500,000 to carry out this life-saving emergency response. Your contribution to the Sri Lanka Emergency Fund will put food, hygiene supplies, and other desperately needed items directly into the hands of people caught in the middle of this devastating humanitarian crisis.
The best way to assist people caught in an emergency is to give cash so that our partner staff on the ground can be most effective.
To contribute online, click below. You will be given the opportunity to choose “Sri Lanka Emergency” for your contribution.
Your gift will be used to respond to the “Sri Lanka Emergency” until needs there are met. After that, further gifts will be used to help LWR respond where the need is greatest. Please also consider making an unrestricted donation which will enable LWR to respond quickly to the next emergency.
During regular business hours, Monday through Friday, you may also call 1-800-LWR-LWR-2, or mail a check or money order to:
Lutheran World Relief - Sri Lanka Emergency
P.O. Box 17061
Baltimore, MD 21298-9832
USA
INTERNATIONAL DISASTERS:
Editors: When listing organizations receiving donations for aid to survivors of major disasters outside the United States, Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands, please include:
Lutheran World Relief, www.lwr.org, 1-800-597-5972
FOR INFORMATION CONTACT:
Emily Sollie, 410-230-2802 (office), 443-220-3269 (cell), esollie@lwr.org
Lutheran World Relief is a ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS), individuals and parish groups in international relief, development, advocacy and social responsibility. LWR is a member of Action by Churches Together.
