Press Contact Caroline Brennan 917.545.9299 cbrennan@crs.org

HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLENCE ESCALATES INTO TRAUMATIC CONDITIONS IN EASTERN INDIA

New Delhi, October 7, 2008 -- In the eastern Indian state of Orissa, violent human rights persecutions based on political, caste and economic affiliation have led to traumatic and emergency conditions since August for an estimated 100,000 people across the state. Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is carrying out a $140,000 humanitarian response.

The Kandhamal district has seen the most of the violence and destruction which sparked after the August 23 shooting of Swami Laxanananda Saraswati and five other people in the state of Orissa. As many as 4,500 houses and 70 places of worship have been destroyed in weeks of widespread persecution of Christians and other vulnerable groups in the state.

"The situation has stabalized but remains tense," says Jennifer Poidatz, CRS India country representative.

As many as 20,000 people have sought refuge in displaced camps which are mostly in schools and other government buildings.

"Many of the camps are cramped beyond the capacity. Facilities for potable water and sanitation are poor while many people live under trees and in open spaces. Health risks are high and injured people have minimal access to the medical facilities. Most of the families have just one pair of clothes and are living in damp conditions because of the rains," says Poidatz.

Trauma among people is high. Even in the camps, people are taking turns to guard each other and their surroundings for fear of being attacked. Some people continue to live in their broken houses but come to the camps at night, making the area even more crowded. Children are out of school and space for their recreation or counsel is completely absent.

"Varying opinions exist as to the motivation behind the senseless killings and displacement of thousands of poor families that, in normal times, already struggle to meet their basic needs. The fact that this is happening in tribal areas where there is no history of religious tension is a good indicator that religion is not at the root of the violence. It is true that most in the camps are Christian, but entire villages are affected," says Poidatz.

CRS Response

CRS has committed an initial $140,000 to the humanitarian response. CRS' humanitarian relief effort will first focus on the provision of emergency medical services and emergency relief supplies to an estimated 10,000 camp residents.

"The needs are enormous, with tens of thousands of people crowded into camps across the district. The government is providing security and access for our teams of doctors, nurses and social workers," says Poidatz.

CRS is working closely alongside its local partners in Orissa and the government to respond in an unbiased manner to the enormous needs facing 100,000 people. CRS and Caritas are also collaborating with Humanitarian Assistance Coordination mechanisms at the State and National Level to ensure that all assistance is provided fairly, and reaching those affected.

"CRS plans to look at a longer term responses, applying the lessons learned from similar situations in other parts of the country, including the communal riots in Gujarat of 2002, and possibly including livelihoods as an entry point for peace building. We are also trying to put together an independent assessment mission that can provide information that will be accepted as unbiased by all," says Poidatz.

Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the U.S. Catholic community. The agency alleviates suffering and provides assistance to people in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality. For more information, please visit www.crs.org or www.crsespanol.org.