Race to prepare for new influx of refugees in Sri Lanka

21 May 2009: Urgent preparations are underway in temporary camps to deal with a wave of up to 80,000 people who have fled fighting in Sri Lanka in the last few days, says children’s organisation Plan.

Plan has partnered with local organisation Sarvodaya to deliver desperately-needed drinking water and sanitation support for the camps housing people displaced by the recent conflict. A US$540,000 appeal for emergency funds has now been launched.

Between 60,000 to 80,000 people are estimated to be on the move following the reported end of the conflict, swelling the number of displaced people to around 280,000 and putting further strains on facilities in the cramped camps and surrounding areas.

Medical staff are concerned about the onset of further illness in the camps such as diarrhoea, scabies and chickenpox. Malnutrition among children in the camps is also a concern.

Water and sanitation focus

Plan and Sarvodaya will install some 150 (2,000 litre) water tanks with outlets for bathing, laundry and drinking. Separate covered bathing areas for men and women are also to be established.

Han Dijsselbloem, Director of Plan in Sri Lanka said: “The need to move swiftly with water and sanitation is paramount. This latest wave of displaced people will put enormous strain on the already ailing infrastructure in the camps.

“People who have fled the conflict zone, including tens of thousands of children, are wounded, malnourished, de-hydrated, exhausted and traumatised by what they have experienced. We need to make conditions as bearable as possible and limit the spread of contagious disease.”

Plan is already supporting hospitals which are struggling to deal with an overflow of patients from the camps or casualties from the war zone itself. Medical staff are trying to deal with a “rapid influx of patients”, up to three times the normal bed capacity. Hospitals have been given supplies and aid with water and sanitation.

International NGOs are currently in negotiation with the government to have restrictions on access to the camps lifted so they can meet needs.

Notes for editors

For further details, please contact:

In Colombo:

Han Dijsselbloem
Country Director
Plan Sri Lanka
Tel: +94 (11) 258-8252; 250-8644; 258-8185

At Plan International Head Office:

 Stuart Coles
Senior Press Officer
Direct: +44 (0) 1483 733 211
Mobile: +44 (0) 7500 066 891
Skype: Stuart-Coles