Thousands of children remain trapped by the ongoing conflict in Sri Lanka, putting their lives at serious risk.

Some 50,000 people are confined to a very small space with fighting going on around them. The UN Children’s Fund holds grave fears that the number of deaths will continue to rise.

UNICEF has consistently called on the Government of Sri Lanka to show maximum restraint in its military actions, and on the Tamil Tigers to allow civilians to leave the fierce fighting.

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UNICEF’s New York-based executive director, Ann M. Veneman, says that it is unacceptable that children continue to be the innocent victims of the ongoing conflict.

“Children caught in the crossfire lack adequate access to medicine, water and food. Safe humanitarian access to these children is critical to their well-being.

“Civilians should be allowed to move away from the conflict zone to safe areas and maximum restraint should be exercised by both parties, including halting the use of heavy weapons in densely populated areas.

“UNICEF joins the United Nations Secretary-General in calling on both sides to adhere to their obligations under international humanitarian law.”

About 120,000 internally displaced people recently arrived in the northern town of Vavuniya and more are expected in the coming days/weeks. UNICEF continues to respond to the needs of about 200,000 displaced people in Jaffna, Trincomalee and Vavuniya in the areas of education, health and nutrition, water, sanitation and hygiene and protection.

The massive influx of IDPs who have endured extreme conditions - including scarcity of safe water, sanitation, insufficient health care and medicines as well as scarcity of food - has put even greater strain
on already overcrowded IDP camps.

With an almost overwhelming demand for water and sanitation, UNICEF and partners supply millions of litres of water each and every day through the camps and are rapidly constructing latrines and bathing facilities.

In addition, Unicef is currently establishing nutritional centres for malnourished children, and is supporting hospitals to meet the increased needs for mother and child health. UNICEF also continues to deliver hygiene kits, emergency health kits, cooking pots, purification tablets, student and teacher kits, recreation kits, and to construct temporary learning shelters for children to resume education.

At the same time UNICEF is supporting the provision of psycho-social support and the identification of separated and unaccompanied children.

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