Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Colombo (Fides Service) - Thousands of people in the district of Trincomalee forced out of their homes by military operations against Tamil rebel positions in north east Sri Lanka are in urgent need of assistance, according to various international aid agencies including the UN High Commission for Refugees and the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) deeply concerned with regard to the situation for at least 3,000 families.
An estimated 8,000 people fled villages in the north because of recent shelling. Earlier on April 21 about 8,500 abandoned their homes because of a previous attack and another 3,000 fled after a bomb explosion at Trincomalee market. Observers say these latest attacks triggered an escalation of inter-ethnic violence with explosions of several mines and homes looted and torched. Many homeless people have found temporary shelter in schools, churches and other public buildings.
A UN assessment team is in the region. Humanitarian agencies in the area are attempting to reach and help the affected people but some remote villages and groups of refugees are isolated. The humanitarian agencies call on the involved parties to allow immediate access to the people in need. There is also concern for reports of intimidation of people seeking to shelter in government aid centres.
“It is the duty of the government to take care of these homeless people”, said Paul Newman, JRS south Asia Director. “Opening closed roads, guaranteeing activity of NGOs. If this situation continues all hope of peace with vanish. We must not be resigned to war”. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 2/5/2006 righe 24 parole 247)
