Report from Dr. Rev. Jeynesan Nov. 2006
Correspodance from Dr. Rev. Jeynesan Nov. 2006
St. John’s Mission, Batticaloa, Sri Lanka
Love and greetings from St. Johns centre Batticaloa from me and other friends. Thank you for sending me the mail regarding the changes of your addresses. I have taken note of those.
Situation in Batticaloa is not very good. War effected Internally Displaced Persons have become a major issue in the North and East of Sri Lanka today. Daily shelling and fighting is going on in many places in the East and more and more refugees are coming out of the battle areas.
Only yesterday more than 3000 people have been displaced and they have moved to Marnkeny.
At present we would say more than 80000 peoples are displaced. Today our team has left with some tents and food items for the new arrivals. We try to maintain a balanced relationship with the Government which helps us to get clearance to travel to the areas where the IDP’s are sheltering.
Our relationship with the Government Agent and the District Secretary is excellent.
The District Secretary Mr. Giritharan is in touch with our office almost every day, a few times with requests and keeps us informed with the current situation. Both Srikanth and Mr. L. R. David who is our Operational Manager are very fluent in Singhalese and have a very cordial relationship with the local Army commanders. These are the people who are having the final say in issuing permits and controlling everyone’s movements.
We also have a fairly good relationship with ICRC and UN agencies. St. Johns Church is one of the dominant organizations which are carrying out relief and rehabilitation programs in the East and the North at this time of crises.
Not many local or foreign NGOs are willing to take a risk and carry out relief and rehabilitation under such dangerous and panic conditions. We at St. Johns with a view to helping the unfortunate helpless victims are left with no option but to take risks.
In any war wherever in the world, the people who suffer most are the innocent, the women, elderly and the children. This is not an exception in our region.
At present the access to Vaharai and Kathiraveli are completely closed. We have taken 3 loads of supplies to these areas earlier.
Sri Lankan army is trying to capture these costal areas. Every day there are bombardments and shelling. Now people are fleeing in through forest areas by foot to Mankerny. This area is under the control of Sri Lankan security forces.
LTTE is also preventing people from fleeing these areas for various reasons, such as their own safety, inadvertently passing information onto the Government forces. They also recruit the young ones as conscripts against their wishes. Government is also not allowing these victims to move out to the main land to guarantee their own safety. You will understand that innocent people are being used by both parties as a human shields.
So far we have
- Distributed food to 1238 families
- Provided tents
- Constructed toilets
- Purchased a water bowser and several water tanks to provide a supply of clean drinking water.
- Provided medical assistance with a mobile clinic at M’chenai and at IDP’s camps and treating war injured and children.
- Supplied linen, sanitary napkin and basic clothes for women and children.
- Supplied cooking utensils for few families.
- Provided milk foods to children under 6 months.
As can be seen with the support and prayers of all our donors we are doing our best for these displaced people. Thank you for all your support and prayers. Give our Love to everyone at Home.
With Peace and Prayers,
Dr. Rev. Jeyanesan.