MISSISSAUGA, Ont. (May 18, 2009)—What next? This is the critical question for the next phase of the humanitarian response in Sri Lanka as the war with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) comes to an end, leaving almost quarter of a million Tamils in displacement camps, World Vision says.

“The conventional war may be over but the real challenge now is to foster an environment where fractured and displaced Tamil communities can heal and have a real chance at creating a future for themselves and their children,” said Suresh Bartlett, National Director of World Vision in Sri Lanka.

The relief, development and advocacy organization has been assisting those in camps with water, food, shelter, non-food relief items as well as nutrition, education and psychosocial programs for children. Going forward, World Vision says there are four challenges that the organization will tackle in order to put Sri Lanka’s children on the road to recovery.

1. Get people back to their original land and homes as quickly as possible and then provide them the support they need to rebuild their lives. This will need to, in many cases, be accompanied by de-mining, infrastructure rebuilding and livelihoods set up.¹

2. Provide special support for children that address their physical, psychosocial, emotional and educational needs. Tens of thousands of children have been severely impacted—emotionally, physically and mentally. They have endured months of extremely violent close-quarter conflict, suffering from a lack of health care and poor access to shelter and food. Aid agencies and government ministries need to identify children who have suffered trauma and distress and find creative solutions to address this special problem.²

3. Trust building programs are essential to create an environment of peace. Many Tamils who come from the area once controlled by the LTTE may never have had Sinhalese neighbours or friends. Likewise those from the South may be suspicious of northern Tamils. A large percentage of those from Colombo or the South have never been to the conflicted North.³

World Vision is planning to promote such programs as well as continuing to call on Canada to support the government of Sri Lanka in taking immediate steps to outline a durable solution and plan that addresses the root causes of the conflict, that works to empower communities and local governance, and that helps restore basic services and critical infrastructure.

4. Millions of aid dollars needed. Private donations from generous Canadians go a long way to help this crisis, but the international community, donors and banks also need to give or lend millions of dollars to fund the return, recovery and rehabilitation phases. None of these programs is possible without the commitment from people around the world to support recovery efforts. But without this support the country may not be able to make a real go at winning the peace, so losing out on a vital opportunity to bring peace.⁴

World Vision is accepting donations to help those affected by the conflict. Those wishing to help can visit WorldVision.ca or call 1-800-268-5528.

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Notes:
¹ Bartlett says: “There are now almost 250,000 people in the displacement camps, among them an estimated 80,000 children. These people have been displaced numerous times and in reality the camps are yet another displacement, albeit one where they are safe and have their basic needs met. It is important to get people home as quickly as possible so they can feel a sense of ownership over their own lives, recover their dignity and livelihoods and create an environment where their children feel safe.”

² Bartlett says: “Getting children back home and then back to school will have the biggest impact on improving their health. Children need to be back in communities and classes where neighbours and teachers can keep an eye on them and restore a sense of normalcy which is what children crave. Hundreds of schools need to be rebuilt, repaired, re-staffed and restocked with equipment to make this a reality.”

³ Bartlett says: “We need trust building programs to break down years of prejudice. It is especially important to focus on the next generation—the children—to give them the opportunities to meet and get to know each other. We would advocate for trust building programs that bring Tamil and Sinhala communities together, especially those who once lived along what was the Line of Control that divided the country.”

⁴ Bartlett says: “A number of issues are competing for global funding attention including Pakistan and H1N1 but Sri Lanka should not be forgotten. We should remember the tens of thousands of children who will miss out if we don’t help rebuild their families’ lives and meet the specific needs of children themselves. We have already lost the futures of two generations of children to nearly three decades of war. This must not be allowed to continue.”

• World Vision donors support more than 61,577 children in Sri Lanka, including 17,500 children sponsored by Canadians. Sponsored children are not in the conflict zone. World Vision began working in Sri Lanka in 1977.

• World Vision is a Christian relief, development and advocacy organization dedicated to working with children, families and communities to overcome poverty and injustice. World Vision serves all people regardless of religion, race, ethnicity or gender.

To interview World Vision staff, please contact:

Yoko Kobayashi
905-565-6200 ext. 2151
416-671-0086 (cell)
yoko_kobayashi@WorldVision.ca

Alex Sancton
905-565-6200 ext. 3949
416-419-1321 (cell)
alex_sancton@WorldVision.ca