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Desperate conditions face Sri Lanka's fleeing families
Written by: Save the Children
Reuters and AlertNet are not responsible for the content of this article or for any external internet sites. The views expressed are the author's alone.
Picture from Save the Children staff in Sri Lanka.
Stein Lied is a protection adviser for Save the Children in Vavuniya, Sri Lanka. It's in the camps which have been receiving the newest arrivals that the situation is most overstretched and the families are most desperate. Our staff knew some of the people who were in the last flows of people from the 'No Fire' Zone - but they struggled to recognise them on arrival because they were in such poor condition and had lost so much weight. It's Zone 2 - one of three areas where the main batch of Sri Lanka's camps for people uprooted by fighting in the north are located - where there is the most chaos. It seems to be more overcrowded than the others, and because of that, families are often split up. Children show pictures of their friends and families killed or injured or separated saying, "This is my friend he was killed, this is my friend, he's now lost a leg, this is my brother, he's now dead." I've met many children who are looking after their younger siblings because they've lost their parents. There are also young girls of 15 or so, who were married in Vanni, became pregnant or are now widowed with newborns. It's very sad. Save the Children is setting up child-friendly areas in these camps so that children can resume some semblance of a normal life. These youngsters are sharing their worries through playing with other children and our staff. When they throw stones in a game, for example, one stone is supposed to represent a mortar shell, many stones are a multi-barrelled rocket. And in their drawings too they are painting mortars, jet fighters, and big black tanks. Despite the horror of their experiences, we are making a difference. One boy who's just 14 years old tried to kill himself twice firstly by hanging, and then by taking an overdose. But, after playing with our staff, he is now learning to deal with his pain. Another incredible 16 year old boy who I met at a hospital in Mannar had lost both his arms and his two sisters had been killed. Yet he was already talking about the future - about getting out of hospital, about going to India and finishing his studies. Such stories give you so much hope. For now though, the immediate humanitarian needs are huge. Some may not have even been treated for their injuries yet. We've seen a few children with metal pieces still lodged inside their skin. Others are limping around on crutches and with bandages. Some injuries are infected, and there are skin diseases. There has also been some chicken pox but I think that's now contained. Only a lucky few have tents in Zone 2 - others are sleeping on the ground or under trees. So far only simple food and water has been distributed. Children are looking worryingly malnourished; very thin with swollen bellies. They are suffering from diarrhoea and dehydration. Families are receiving some rice and lentils to eat, but, if they're to recover, they will need protein and vitamins soon. Save the Children is hoping to deliver clothes, pots and pans, blankets, learning materials, soap and kits for mothers with newborn babies soon. We also plan to continue setting up child-friendly areas and temporary schools. We're aiming to reach at least 50,000 people with our current plans. In the camps which were well established before the first huge influx of people, things are better. There, families are receiving food and water, and are living in fairly good tin-sheet shelters. There is even an established visiting hour for friends and relatives. As the aid operation is being stepped up, we hope to establish these kinds of conditions in all the camps. Things are improving. It is better than it was. I know we will be able to make a difference as long as we continue working as we are now.
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9 responses to “Desperate conditions face Sri Lanka's fleeing families”
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29 Apr 2009 17:17:26 GMT
Thank you "save the children" for giving an update on the plight of thousands of children in conflict zone in northern Srilanka. As a person who has lived and worked among these population for over fifty years,my hart goes into these children minds, which is the worst psyogologically tormented in the world today.
I have been writing comments in the Reuters Alert net for some time regarding many political,economical,social and environmental developments in the world and have always received approval for publications by Alert net. But regret to note that recently many of my comments regarding sri lanka conflict, have been turned dawn, and some times published and removed next day. Always I have followed the strict code of guidance in my comments, even though I am originally from sri lanka. Hope at least this hart hitting stories comments of children suffering from deadly injuries,separation from families,lack of food and medical care will find a place. Stores are going around that UNICEF is air lifting supplies for emergency supplies, and neighbouring Tamilnadu government arranging immediate supplies by sea to IRC. How long all these will take and will the government of Srilanka will co-operate in allowing these supplies to reach the designated peoples. We were born and bread with discrimination of services and developments and denial of fundamental rights,including voting for the plantation workers of the Tamil minorities. Will all these helping hands from the different parts of the world will reach these abuse children in time so that their life can be saved. When 2003 December tsunami hit the coasts of Srilanka, funds and relief materials send by international community were blocked reaching the most affected in east coast by communal elements in the ruling party. I am not writing all these accusation because of any hatred,I have worked many years as a trade unionist with the majority sihalese brothers,the evil corrupted politicians of the ruling families are the real culprits. Hope and pray these sufferings of millions of children will make a change in the harts and minds of rulers and the general public who are majority Buddhist to follow the religious principals of live and let live others.29 Apr 2009 17:18:32 GMT
Thank you Stein of the Save the Children for helping the most vulnerable and Alertnet and Reuters for highlighting the plight of the IDPs. We have been alerting the international community to help the civilians in the conflict zone and stop the bombing. Now the SL government is trying to force out the remaining 100,000 to push them on to the already crowded camps and hospitals. Why cannot the IC and UN ensure food and medicine reach them?
29 Apr 2009 17:21:36 GMT
why save the children and other ngo's left the warzone ? If a governement says, we want to kill them. you have to leave!! all ngo's left. and now they want to treat. what a world. Anyway, we apreciate your help, please help these childrens and their families and give them hope to their lives. PLEASE DONT SAY, THE GOVERNEMENT IS DONT ALLOWING!! IF THEY DONT ALLOW, FIGHT FOR IT!!
29 Apr 2009 17:23:22 GMT
U.K and France failed to pull out a truce. If this is a legit war, why not allow UN, media & NGOs to work in the best interest of people? SL says they are rescuing the civilians, but reports show more 6600 people are killed thus far by SL cluster bombs & aerial bombs. That is not rescuing, it's called killings & murder. If LTTE is using civilins as human shield, why not allow UN or media to see the truth and support SL's war? I am sure IC knows what is unfolding in SL, but why the hesitant to intervene? This barbaric act must be stopped before SL go ahead with the bloodbath.
30 Apr 2009 13:07:40 GMT
The civilians who have fled the no fire zone have said time and time again of the horrors they experinced while living under the oppressive control of the LTTE. This is why they escaped to the government controlled areas. It is not completely surprising that the government and the NGOs were not prepared for an influx of 100,000 people. However, with the continued efforts of organizations like Save the Children this situation can be remedied slowly.
If all the Tamils living abroad are so interested in preventing a 'bloodbath' they should demand that the tigers lay down their arms. The TAMIL CAUSE DOES NOT NEED TO BE TIED TO THE LTTE, by choosing to do so you are downgrading the legitimacy of your cause!30 Apr 2009 13:08:54 GMT
even alertnet plays to the popular gallery sometimes. nwayz sri-lankan tamils should never forget these moments especially the children .the tamils worldwide should teach their children never to forget or forgive the perpatrators of this horrible genocide and also those who abetted and aided the perpatrators and all those who stood by idly. to forget and forgive would be the gravest of crimes much worse than the genocide committed on us the tamils. I hope alertnet would not censure this
30 Apr 2009 13:11:27 GMT
What steps SCF taking to reunite the families and resettle them at their homes? It is well known SL govt inend detroy the social fabric Tamil society. How would SCF will not become pawn/resource for SL govt in carrying out this destruction of Tamils?
30 Apr 2009 13:15:04 GMT
Save the Children, Thank you for looking after the children caught in this terrible conflict. My heart goes out to the families and children who are split up. It is comforting to know that these children are encouraged to talk to each other and bond because, often times all we really need is for someone to listen. You're an excellent organization, and I would be proud to donate to this cause. Thank you, once again. We need more organizations like this.
30 Apr 2009 13:16:47 GMT
Thank you Save The Children. It's great that you are doing it now, in the atmosphere of many government restrictions & negative attitudes towards NGOs.At this moment kids need your help & with your experience you are in a better position to help them. Pls. continue helping those kids. No doubt you will make a big change in their lives. Pls. work on influencing the goverment to make changes in their policies & to make them child friendly. This may be hard at this point, but this is the time all of us should start working towards it may be in our own ways. By doing it you will be able to make bigger impact on the lives of many many children.