|
An
interdenominational Christian aid agency has appealed
for urgent humanitarian relief for Sri Lankans amid
reports of indiscriminate shelling and use of heavy
weapons resulting in hundreds of civilian casualties
last week.
In its appeal on Wednesday, the Barnabas Fund said a
"major humanitarian crisis is unfolding in the
north-east of Sri Lanka as the country's long civil war
intensifies once more".
"More than 50,000 civilians, including many Christians,
are trapped in the crossfire between government forces
and Tamil Tiger rebels (LTTE). The Christians of Sri
Lanka are also suffering persecution and the effects of
natural disaster."
The aid agency noted that although the civil war is not
a religious conflict, still it calls for concern, as
"Christians comprise some 20 per cent of the Tamil
population, and about eight per cent of the total".
"Four Christian workers were killed in the shelling at
the end of April, and there are many Christians among
the displaced in the camps. Others have lost family
members. Still others do not know if their loved ones
are alive or dead, or where they might be, as families
have been scattered among different centers," the
Barnabas Fund reported.
The relief agency is working in collaboration with the
National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka (NCEASL),
which has been providing aid to displaced Christians in
the camps.
Dr Patrick Sookhdeo, international director of Barnabas
Fund, commented, "Members of our Christian family in Sri
Lanka have seen and suffered terrible things in the
current conflict. We stand with NCEASL in their desire
and determination to help these people and all the
suffering Christians of Sri Lanka. Please support us in
this with your prayers and generosity."
According to the latest reports, 50 people were killed
at a hospital after it was hit by artillery shells,
forcing thousands of injured to duck for cover.
The shelling was so intense Wedne-sday that a Red Cross
ferry waiting offshore to deliver food and evacuate the
wounded had to turn back for a second day, according to
the Human Rights Watch.
President Barack Obama on Wednesday demanded that the
government stop shelling hospitals and that Tamil Tiger
rebels cease using civilians as human shields.
He also cautioned that the situation could turn from a
humanitarian crisis to a full blown catastrophe.
Meanwhile, the UN Security Council on Wednesday
expressed "grave concern" at the "worsening humanitarian
crisis" there.
The Security Council for the first time agreed to press
the Sri Lankan authorities on the safety of civilians.
The 15-member body voiced the concern after Amnesty
International called for urgent UN action and a probe
into "the mounting evidence of serious violations of
international law".
The council members said in a statement that they
"strongly condemn the LTTE for its acts of terrorism
over many years" and urged the group "lay down its arms
and allow the tens of the thousands of civilians to
leave".
|
