Plan International launches emergency appeal for Sri Lanka crisis

The UN estimates there are about 50,000 civilians trapped in what was the conflict zone without access to food, water, sanitation or medical treatment

Plan International has launched an emergency appeal to fund its work in the aftermath of the civil war in Sri Lanka and is urgently seeking donations from the Australian public to ensure that vulnerable children are protected from harm.

Make a donation online to Plan's Sri Lanka Crisis Appeal or call 13 PLAN (13 7526).

• More than 50,000 people trapped in Sri Lanka’s former conflict zone without food, water, sanitation or medical treatment

• More than 190,000 people in Sri Lanka’s refugee camps urgently need help

• Plan International is working to ensure that children in these camps – often the most vulnerable in emergency situations - are well fed and cared for in protected learning spaces

The war may be technically over, but those displaced by the conflict are still struggling to survive in overcrowded camps.

The UN estimates that there are about 50,000 civilians trapped in what was the conflict zone without access to food, water, sanitation or adequate medical treatment.

Between October 27, 2008, and May 6 this year, about 190,000 people fled from the conflict zone to government-controlled areas where they were accommodated in camps, or transferred to hospitals for medical attention.

These figures include a significant number of children; however, the exact figure is unknown at this time.

The huge numbers of people fleeing from the conflict zone in recent weeks has put considerable stress on the services and facilities at the camps.

Plan International is calling for donations to go towards work that aims to reduce the immediate impact of the conflict on about 35,000 displaced families in camps in Vavuniya district, along with about 2500 patients referred to Anuradhapura and Kurunegala districts for health services.

Plan’s emergency response will include building latrines, ensuring that children and their families have access to clean water for drinking and bathing, providing adequate nutrition for children, and ensuring that children are protected and have opportunities to continue education in child-friendly and safe spaces within the camps. Plan will also support the hospitals in Anuradhapura and Kurunegala with water tanks and latrines.

Plan is hoping to raise at least $40,000 in Australia to support this urgent response and ensure the safety of children in this time of crisis.

Make an online donation to Plan's Sri Lanka Crisis Appeal or call 13 PLAN (13 7526).

Note to editors

Ian Wishart, National Executive Director of Plan in Australia, and Dave Husy, programs director, are available for comment. Contact David Cook on 0448 816 900 or Aimee Suchard-Lowe on 0412 227 154 to arrange an interview.