World Alliance launches Appeal for Emergency Work in Sri Lanka

3 April 2009

Continued violence in the northeast of Sri Lanka has claimed the lives of thousands of innocent civilians, including children, and displaced thousands more. Latest UN estimates suggest that up to 150'000 civilians are still trapped between the conflicting groups. They are not only deprived of any humanitarian assistance but also exposed to heavy shelling.

Those who have been able to flee to safety are living in extremely poor conditions, and are at high risk of outbreaks of malaria, dengue fever and measles, and a chicken pox outbreak has already been reported.

Nutritional and psychosocial support for displaced children and youth 

In collaboration with two local YMCA associations, YMCA Sri Lanka drew from its own funds to quickly respond to the needs of internally displaced persons (IDPs) living in the Vavuniya and Mannar IDP camps, providing milk and nutrition to children under 3, as well as bed linen and towels for the injured. However, much more could be done with additional resources.

Together with the National Christian Council (NCC), the YMCA of Sri Lanka has been closely monitoring the situation.  Needs-assessment visits to the IDP camps suggest that there is a need for clothing and sanitary items for women and young girls.  Sri Lanka YMCA has also identified the urgent need for continued nutritional and psychosocial support for 4,000 displaced children and young people, and is thus appealing for a total amount of 72,240 USD to support this crucial work in seven IDP camps over a six-month period.

Pledging support

The World Alliance urges YMCA National Movements to support this appeal for immediate help for the people of Sri Lanka, and would like to extend its thanks to those YMCAs who have already pledged their support.

For further information on the appeal please contact Simon Pluess at the World Alliance: simon(at)ymca.int.