International community urged not to lose once-in-a-generation opportunity to help heal Sri Lanka

Aid agency World Vision is urging the international community to seize a once-in-a-generation opportunity to help Sri Lanka by pledging millions of dollars to meet the critical needs of at least 60,000 child survivors of war.

Suresh Bartlett, National Director of World Vision Lanka, who recently returned from visiting camps in the North, said he was deeply troubled about the impact of the war on children and was worried that the global financial crisis and swine flu were taking the world's attention away from meeting their urgent needs.

"There are almost 200,000 survivors in the camps in the North who have survived a most brutal experience after being trapped in a conflict zone for weeks. At least 60,000 children are among them.

"It is almost impossible to understand what these children have been through. Can you imagine what it must be like to see your friends, your brothers and sisters killed, to live in fear of the blasts and gunshots, to see your parents terrified and to go without meals and water for days on end? Even before this latest turn of events many of these children have been displaced numerous times over the years. Some have never known what it is to have a proper home or to live in safety."

Mr Bartlett said World Vision was already meeting the needs of 10,000 families with assistance, including water, supplementary foods, and shelter - but much more was needed by all international aid agencies to meet the needs. The camps were overflowing and the government was asking for assistance from the aid community.

"We are setting up special tents where children can learn, play and escape for a few hours from their memories and life around them. But we'd like to do much more for children," he said.

World Vision is currently operating a USD 3 million emergency aid response but wants to double that to USD 6 million. An additional USD 7 million is needed to help survivors return and rehabilitate them in their homes and villages.

Mr Bartlett said: "I am extremely concerned that if we don't seize this opportunity to help the survivors of this long-running conflict, and especially the children, they will remain scarred not just by their memories but also by their ongoing poverty. It is critical that we urgently commit the money to meet their needs. This will not only help bring healing but also create an environment for peace and reconciliation. If we lose this opportunity my country - Sri Lanka - could be left with an unhealed scar that will have consequences down the road."

Additional funds were urgently needed to ensure:

• Psycho-social care for distressed children
• Special tents for children with teachers, toys and education materials
• Additional supplies of water for drinking and washing
• More supplementary feeding for undernourished and malnourished children and women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.

For interviews contact Suresh Bartlett:

Office: +94 112691233
Cell: +94 772255900

World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organisation dedicated to working with children, families and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. We serve all people, regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, or gender. For more information, please visit www.wvasiapacific.org