ACT appeals aid for civilian crisis in Sri Lanka

Joining Catholic relief agency Caritas, Action by Churches Together (ACT) International, an alliance of churches and related agencies, has appealed for over one million US dollars to assist displaced civilians in Sri Lanka.

The appeal includes a request by ACT members Christian Aid (CA) and Norwegian Church Aid (NCA). CA.

"As at April 21st, ACT member Christian Aid has reported that 35,000 Internally displaced people crossed over to Government controlled areas. Needs are rising on a daily basis as the numbers in camps go up," the organisation said in a statement.

The proposed assistance includes "six months relief and psychosocial support including provision of food and non-food relief items, shelter repairs, water and sanitation, health, education and livelihood activities, as well as protection activities for civilians in the camps."

The UN estimates 100,000 to 200,000 civilians are caught up in fighting between government forces and Tamil Tiger separatists.

"It is imperative that we continue to provide emergency food and medical assistance to these people to prevent yet more lives being lost," said Nick Guttmann, the director of Christian Aid's humanitarian programme.

"Our priority now is to provide food, shelter and medical help to those most in need," Christian Aid said.

Nearly 200,000 civilians are currently housed in government welfare camps in the northern towns of Vauniya and Jaffna.

Last week, Vatican City-based humanitarian agency Caritas Internationalis appealed for US $2.5 million to provide emergency assistance to the war victims.

Caritas says the financial assistance will help 100,000 people with food, clean water, basic medicine, and counselling.

The UN has said that 6,500 have been killed in fighting since January. It has called the situation in Lanka the "toughest humanitarian crisis in the world.''