Action Alert ArchiveWar escalates as refugee crisis exacerbates sufferingAugust 28, 2008 I am writing to call your attention to the escalating war in Sri Lanka, which is fueling increasing numbers of internally displaced persons (IDPs). In the last two months, the Sri Lankan government has escalated its campaign against rebel- controlled regions of Kilinochi and Mullaitivu, forcing civilians to flee their homes and abandon schools and businesses. According to the North East Secretariat on Human Rights (NESOHR), a local human rights watchdog, between June 1st and July 28th alone over 70,000 people in the two districts registered as IDPs. The AFP reported, "112,000 people have been displaced in the past two months in the troubled areas and warned the figure could rise to 200,000 in the coming weeks." Meanwhile, the living conditions in these regions have deteriorated sharply, due to the government-imposed economic embargo, according to the Associated Press. Civilians living in the region no longer have access to essential supplies such as rice, milk powder, and kerosene. The AFP reported that thus far humanitarian aid has been reaching the region, but the continued advance of government forces will likely restrict essential items from reaching the area soon. Neil Buhne, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Sri Lanka warned that "a crisis can be avoided" if international aid agencies are granted continued access to all areas. Unfortunately, the military advances have continued unabated, and unaccompanied by any pledge to allow international aid into these war-torn regions. The last two months have seen overwhelming numbers of people fleeing their homes with no place to go. Schools have been shut down, businesses have been closed, and thousands of homes have been abandoned. I urge you to provide relief to these IDPs and allow the distribution of humanitarian aid, by calling for an international human rights monitoring mission to Sri Lanka. |
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