Contact: Taun Cortado, Gospel for Asia, 972-300-3379
 
CARROLLTON, Texas, May 14 /Christian Newswire/ -- Gospel for Asia-supported missionaries, workers and lay leaders are reaching out to thousands of Sri Lankans displaced by the most recent battles between the government and the Tamil Tigers rebel group. The United Nations estimates that about 50,000 civilians are trapped by the conflict. They are crowded onto a tiny strip of land that has been designated by the government as a "safe zone."

Workers representing GFA are providing for the needs of people in the government-run camps. The workers are delivering sandals for the people, many of whom wore out their own sandals walking to the camps. They are also providing books for the makeshift schools operating in the camps, along with food.

The government-run camps are not allowing volunteers to visit the camps because they cannot guarantee their safety. However, GFA workers in that area have petitioned the government for permission to visit the camps and offer assistance. A doctor working in the camp described the situation to a BBC journalist.

"The situation is difficult to explain. There is no food, no water supply, no toilet facilities, and no safe area. They are staying under the trees, everywhere. We need more than 400 or 500 tons of food a week, but we are receiving only 60 tons. And there's only rice and dahl (Asian lentils). It's not enough for these people. There's no milk formula for the children, no vegetables, no meat, nothing," Dr. T. Varatharaja said.

There are reports of individual believers ministering to the people in the camps. These believers are thought to be among the displaced themselves and are offering spiritual comfort to their peers.

The conflict between the Sri Lankan government and the Tamil Tigers dates back to 1971. The Tamils, who represent the country's Hindu minority, want a separate homeland set apart from the country's Buddhist majority.

The Tamil movement began peacefully, but it escalated into an ongoing violent civil war. Earlier this year, the Sri Lankan government captured the town of Kilinochchi, which had been a Tamil stronghold for 10 years. The intense fighting led to a catastrophic humanitarian crisis as people caught in the battle attempted to escape. Civilian casualties are still mounting.

News reports from the area describe May 9 and 10 as a "bloodbath" in which 400 people were killed and another 1,000 were injured in the fighting. The Tamils are accused of using civilians as human shields. There are also reports that the Sri Lankan Army has inadvertently fired upon innocent civilians, including an attack on a hospital, which left 49 people dead.

During the last 10 years an estimated 70,000 people have been killed in the conflict.

The government says that the Tamil-controlled area is now down to five kilometers in the country's northeast. The Tamils are appealing to the United States to mediate the conflict.

Gospel for Asia is an evangelical mission organization based in Carrollton involved in sharing the love of Jesus across South Asia.