End the Conflict - Bring Peace to Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is in the midst of a humanitarian disaster. Fighting has intensified in Sri Lanka recently, putting tens of thousands of civilians in the crossfire of a bloody 26-year civil war between the Sri Lankan government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).
There is, however, some good news. Because of the United Nations and other humanitarian agencies, fleeing civilians are being cared for. The World Food Program (WFP) and the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) have transported over 8,000 tons of food, school supplies, clothing and household goods and all of the internally displaced persons have access to clean drinking water now.
But the conflict continues to devastate countless civilians who are still trapped in the rebel stronghold. And it is critical that sanitation improve for the internally displaced Sri Lankan citizens, where health facilities continue to be overwhelmed. Some areas for the internally displaced have only one toilet for 140 people.
Please join the Better World Campaign in thanking the UN for the critical humanitarian and diplomatic work they have done thus far – and urge them to do everything in their power to end the suffering in Sri Lanka.
Dear Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:
We are in the midst of a humanitarian disaster in the Indian Ocean, as tens of thousands of civilians are caught in the crossfire of a bloody 26-year civil war-between the Sri Lankan government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). We appreciate the critical humanitarian and diplomatic work the United Nations has done thus far to help the people of Sri Lanka, and urge you to do everything in your power to bring this horrible conflict to an end.
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Fighting has intensified in Sri Lanka recently. Government troops are shelling the last remaining stronghold of the rebels, who have engaged in guerrilla tactics and suicide bombings, some of which have struck fleeing civilians. Roughly 116 civilians were killed every day throughout the month of April, and over 171,000 have fled the conflict zone.
Fortunately, because of the UN and other humanitarian agencies, fleeing civilians are now being better cared for. On April 27, UNICEF airlifted 50 tons of food aid to the camps. And, over the last few weeks, 130 tons of nutritional supplements were delivered. All of the internally displaced persons have access to clean drinking water now -- but there is still much to be done. Health facilities continue to be overwhelmed, and improving sanitation is critical. Some areas have only one toilet for 140 people.
Under pressure from the UN and others, the Sri Lankan government has vowed to stop the shelling of the rebels. This will save the lives of countless civilians who are still trapped in the rebel stronghold. But it is critical that the UN continue its humanitarian and diplomatic work, and do everything in its power to end this conflict and restore peace in Sri Lanka.
