Caritas is launching a major appeal for innocent people caught in Sri Lanka’s conflict in the north and east of the country.

Fighting between the Government of Sri Lanka and Tamil Tiger (LTTE) rebels in Vanni has trapped tens of thousands of people in a small pocket in the war zone.

Civilians are unable to leave the area controlled by the LTTE and so-called “safe zones” have come under repeated attacks. Caritas Sri Lanka Director Fr Damian Fernando says that the extent of human suffering in Vanni is unbearable.

“People face terrible suffering as they’re under daily attack. Many children are caught in the war zone. Continuous shelling and displacement is taking its toll on the people who are constantly on the run. Access to medical help for the wounded is lacking. People have had little food or water for weeks,” he said.

Caritas Internationalis has launched an appeal for US $2,441,426.99 (EURO €1,811,728.95) to provide emergency assistance to the war victims, those made homeless by the fighting, returnees and war affected families, especially women and children.

Caritas will help 100,000 people with food, clean water, basic medicine, and counselling.

But Caritas says aid will not be enough without an end to the fighting or at the least a ceasefire to allow the evacuation of all civilians.

Fr Damian Fernando said, “Both parties must ensure the suffering of the people stops. Caritas is calling on the government and the rebels to guarantee the protection of civilians. It is essential the bombing of safe zones is halted and that civilians are allowed to leave the combat zone. Only peaceful dialogue will ultimately find a solution to this conflict.

“The international community must wake up to the suffering we’re witnessing in Sri Lanka. We call on the UN to put Sri Lanka on top of its agenda and to use every means to press the warring parties to seek an end to the fighting through negotiation.”

Contact Patrick Nicholson on 0039 334 359 0700 or nicholson@caritas.va