British aid agencies seek positive action after Sri Lanka killings
-11/08/06
Eight Brit
British aid agencies seek positive action after Sri Lanka killings
-11/08/06
Eight British aid and development agencies working in Sri Lanka today (11 August 2006) have the recent brutal killing of 17 aid workers in Muttur and have outlined the steps that need to be taken to reverse the violence.
In doing so, they have warned that increasing armed conflict in the north and east of the country is threatening their tsunami reconstruction and emergency response work.
CAFOD (the Catholic Fund for Overseas Development), CARE International, Christian Aid, Islamic Relief, Oxfam, Save the Children, Merlin and World Vision said together that the killings bring into stark relief the dangers for civilians caught in the upsurge of violence, as well as for those working on tsunami reconstruction and long-term recovery.
Renewed violence in the east of Sri Lanka between the military and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) has severely disrupted the lives of civilians, including people who were already affected by the tsunami.
Thousands of people are fleeing their homes and have sought refuge in other parts of the country. This displacement has put even more pressure on aid agencies to provide relief in addition to their ongoing tsunami rehabilitation work.
ëThe current escalation in violence is having a profound impact on the ability of aid agencies to provide vital support to communities already affected by the tsunami as well as thousands of families whose lives are now being shatteredí said Richard Mawer, Save the Childrenís country programme director in Sri Lanka.
Aid agencies are finding it increasingly difficult to operate in the north and east because of the violence and security tensions. There is limited access to areas in need and limitations on relief items allowed into particular areas.
For example, the medical aid charity, Merlin, is trying to rebuild a health centre in the eastern town of Vakarai but has been unable to access the site for the past two weeks because of a combination of fighting and movement restrictions.
ìOver the past year, aid workers in Sri Lanka have had to cope with worsening violence, but this horrific incident represents an unprecedented escalation of risk,î said James Marchant, Christian Aidís South Asia regional manager.
British humanitarian agencies in Sri Lanka are calling for a full, impartial investigation into the killings of the aid workers in Muttur and are advocating three steps on all parties:
First, to respect the neutrality of non-governmental organisations and guarantee them secured access to civilians in need.
Second, to respect the rights of civilian populations and the basic principles laid down by the Geneva Convention.
Third, to respect the ceasefire signed in 2002 and return to peace talks in order to bring an immediate end to the violence.
CAFOD, CARE International UK, Christian Aid, Oxfam, Save the Children and World Vision all worked in Sri Lanka on long-term development work prior to the tsunami.
[Also on Ekklesia: Churches deplore killing of French aid workers in Sri Lanka 09/08/06; Families fear continuing Sri Lanka violence 14/07/06; Christian peace forum urges Sri Lanka ceasefire 04/07/06; Only good can overcome Sri Lanka evil, say churches; Sri Lanka religious leaders urge government and rebels to talk; Christians urged to stir up a storm in a tea cup; Millions mourn tsunami victims one year on; Christians recycle tsunami rubble; Asian churches to challenge violence against children; Christians and Buddhists should love humanity, says Cardinal; Asian Christian Theologies : Volume 1. South Asia]
British aid agencies seek positive action after Sri Lanka killings
-11/08/06
Eight British aid and development agencies working in Sri Lanka today (11 August 2006) have the recent brutal killing of 17 aid workers in Muttur and have outlined the steps that need to be taken to reverse the violence.
In doing so, they have warned that increasing armed conflict in the north and east of the country is threatening their tsunami reconstruction and emergency response work.
CAFOD (the Catholic Fund for Overseas Development), CARE International, Christian Aid, Islamic Relief, Oxfam, Save the Children, Merlin and World Vision said together that the killings bring into stark relief the dangers for civilians caught in the upsurge of violence, as well as for those working on tsunami reconstruction and long-term recovery.
Renewed violence in the east of Sri Lanka between the military and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) has severely disrupted the lives of civilians, including people who were already affected by the tsunami.
Thousands of people are fleeing their homes and have sought refuge in other parts of the country. This displacement has put even more pressure on aid agencies to provide relief in addition to their ongoing tsunami rehabilitation work.
ëThe current escalation in violence is having a profound impact on the ability of aid agencies to provide vital support to communities already affected by the tsunami as well as thousands of families whose lives are now being shatteredí said Richard Mawer, Save the Childrenís country programme director in Sri Lanka.
Aid agencies are finding it increasingly difficult to operate in the north and east because of the violence and security tensions. There is limited access to areas in need and limitations on relief items allowed into particular areas.
For example, the medical aid charity, Merlin, is trying to rebuild a health centre in the eastern town of Vakarai but has been unable to access the site for the past two weeks because of a combination of fighting and movement restrictions.
ìOver the past year, aid workers in Sri Lanka have had to cope with worsening violence, but this horrific incident represents an unprecedented escalation of risk,î said James Marchant, Christian Aidís South Asia regional manager.
British humanitarian agencies in Sri Lanka are calling for a full, impartial investigation into the killings of the aid workers in Muttur and are advocating three steps on all parties:
First, to respect the neutrality of non-governmental organisations and guarantee them secured access to civilians in need.
Second, to respect the rights of civilian populations and the basic principles laid down by the Geneva Convention.
Third, to respect the ceasefire signed in 2002 and return to peace talks in order to bring an immediate end to the violence.
CAFOD, CARE International UK, Christian Aid, Oxfam, Save the Children and World Vision all worked in Sri Lanka on long-term development work prior to the tsunami.
[Also on Ekklesia: Churches deplore killing of French aid workers in Sri Lanka 09/08/06; Families fear continuing Sri Lanka violence 14/07/06; Christian peace forum urges Sri Lanka ceasefire 04/07/06; Only good can overcome Sri Lanka evil, say churches; Sri Lanka religious leaders urge government and rebels to talk; Christians urged to stir up a storm in a tea cup; Millions mourn tsunami victims one year on; Christians recycle tsunami rubble; Asian churches to challenge violence against children; Christians and Buddhists should love humanity, says Cardinal; Asian Christian Theologies : Volume 1. South Asia]