Emergency Response

June 10, 2009

On May 18, 2009, the Government of Sri Lanka declared total victory over the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, with the entire island territory now back under government rule for the first time since the war erupted in 1983.

Around 265,000 people are now either in transit or accommodated in 38 camps for the recently displaced, including an estimated 80,000 children. Between April 20 and May 13, the number of persons displaced and registered in government camps or sites soared from 65,000 to 198,089 in the Vavuniya, Jaffna, and Mannar districts. Aid agencies report being overwhelmed by this surge in numbers, and rapid humanitarian assistance is critical.

ACT International, of which the United Church is a member, is coordinating the worldwide appeal to Sri Lankan and international church agencies for US$2.7 million to provide the suffering local population with food, clothing, shelter repairs, water and sanitation, health, education, and livelihood activities in the camps.

The United Church has contributed C$8,000 to the appeal, and also participated in a global consultation of church leaders, primarily from South Asia, to respond to the grave humanitarian crisis in Sri Lanka.

How United Church Members Can Help

• Pray: From the General Council Office, our thoughts and prayers go out to our Sri Lankan sisters and brothers who have been so terribly affected by the conflict. United Church members across Canada are urged also to pray for the people who live in affected communities and in particular those who have lost loved ones, friends, and property. Use or adapt prayers from the Christian Conference of Asia*, which has a “Prayers for Turbulent Times” page and a 2009 resource that includes a Sri Lankan section.
• Learn more: For more information on this situation, visit the ACT* ongoing update or the World Council of Churches* statement on peace issues in South Asia.
• Increase support to the Mission and Service Fund of The United Church of Canada. A portion of the M&S Fund is annually allocated for emergency response, and thereby enables the United Church to respond immediately to crises as they occur.

For more information, contact

• Lee Holland
  Acting Program Coordinator for Emergency Response
  Justice, Global and Ecumenical Relations Unit (JGER)
  Tel: 416-231-5931 ext. 4051
  Toll-free: 1-800-268-3781 ext. 4051
  E-mail: Lee Holland