SRI LANKA: Episcopal Relief and Development responds to civil unrest

February 01, 2008 [Episcopal News Service] Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD) is providing emergency assistance to communities in Sri Lanka affected by ongoing civil unrest. At least 55 people were killed over the past weekend in the latest clash in a civil war that has been waging between the Sri Lankan Military and Tamil Tiger rebel forces since 1983.

In January, the government formally pulled out of a 2002 cease-fire due to a recent escalation in violence. Despite the truce, fighting had been ongoing in the north and east of Sri Lanka throughout its duration and the death toll in that time frame topped 5,000. The fighting has also displaced hundreds of thousands of people from their homes.

The impact of the unrest is extreme, an ERD release notes. "The tens of thousands of casualties and the ongoing skirmishes are taking a huge human and psychological toll on the country and its people, still reeling from the devastating tsunami in 2004. With many villages in the line of fire, people are forced to seek cover in refugee camps where the conditions are difficult. Others who have been forcibly resettled to new villages lack proper shelter and are living under rubber sheets tied to trees."

ERD is working with the National Christian Council of Sri Lanka to deliver critical aid -- including food, blankets and sheltering materials -- to those impacted by the violence in Sri Lanka. "Our prayers are with all Sri Lankans as they struggle for peace and stability during this difficult period," says Nagulan Nesiah, ERD's program associate for Asia.

To help people affected by the violence in Sri Lanka, make a donation to ERD's "Emergency Relief Fund" online here (htp://www.er-d.org), or by calling 1-800-334-7626, ext. 5129. Gifts can be mailed to: Episcopal Relief and Development "Emergency Relief Fund" P.O. Box 7058, Merrifield, VA 22116-7058.

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