(March 19, Berlin, Sri Lanka Guardian) Humanitarian Aid worker R. Sabesen was killed in the “No-Fire” zone in Vanni area yesterday said CARE international in Geneva.In a communiqué, the country director Nick Osborn of CARE in Sri Lanka says “"We are deeply shocked and saddened by the news of the loss of our friend and colleague Sabesan; we extend our heartfelt condolences and thoughts to his family and friends at this very difficult time."
According to International Red Cross Mr. Sabesan was one of dozens of aid workers trapped in the conflict zone along with as many as 150,000 other civilians. But Sri Lankan Embassy in Berlin says over 100,000 have crossed over to safety Zones.
After the aid agencies were requested to vacate from the conflict zone in September 2008,
The CARE workers remained in Wanni, along with aid workers from several other aid agencies, because they could not get safe access to leave the conflict zone for themselves and their families. The LTTE would not issue passes for them all to leave.
Therefore Mr. Sabesan was amongst 50 CARE staff members with their families that were unable to leave the area.
According to information from Colombo these aid workers continued to be CARE employees worked alongside as aid volunteers under the direction of the Government Agent, distributing aid and providing support to affected people. Until recently they have continued to provide whatever necessary relief and aid possible from any remaining stocks or whatever limited supplies have been able to be transported into the Wanni. Mr. R. Sabesan was one of these aid workers with the Government Agent.
CARE Sri Lanka has and continues to do everything it can to support its staff trapped in the Wanni including extending contracts, advancing salaries, providing cash, ID cards and contracts in hand, consistently advocating for their security with the warring parties, providing GPRS coordinates to the MOD office locations, increasing visibility and keeping them contextually aware of what is going on around them, plus what military and political decisions might have been taken south of the front lines that influence their lives.
Mr. Sabesan, had been working for CARE international as a caretaker in the Mulliativu District office since March 2005. He was in the No Fire Zone (Safe zone) that was declared by the government Jan. 22, 2009.
But unfortunately, caught up in the shelling in the “No-Fire Zone” yesterday Mr. Sabesan's leg was severed. As a result and due to lack of access to the necessary medical care, he died later at the age of 24 years.
Answering to a question by Sri Lanka Guardian Buro in Germany, whether any of their staff members were or still in the hands of the LTTE as hostages / Human shields? Spokeswomen Melanie Brooks in Geneva said “CARE has not experienced this. We are concerned about the safety of civilians in the conflict zone, and we are calling on all sides to allow safe passage for civilians to leave the conflict zone, and for protection of civilians”.
CARE international Country director Nick Osborn says "The toll this war is taking on civilians is devastating," Humanitarian workers trapped in the conflict zone are just as much at risk as anyone else, and we are receiving regular reports of family members, friends and colleagues who have been injured or killed in the fighting. People need immediate access to medical care, food, and emergency supplies."
Acording to CARE international, hundreds of people have been reportedly killed or injured in the conflict zone. Food and supplies have almost run out. Civilians who try to leave are unable to do so, and are instead forced to shelter in rain-filled trenches in a desperate attempt to escape the fighting. Many of those attempting to flee are being prevented by the LTTE.
Sri Lanka Guardian Buro in Germany asked the CARE international what their position is to the fact that LTTE is holding civilians, UN staff etc. as hostages / Human shields? Spokeswomen Melanie Brooks in Geneva said “Our position in any conflict is that civilians must be protected; that they must be ensured safe passage out of the conflict-affected areas; and that all sides to any conflict must allow for humanitarian assistance to reach those in need”.
CARE Sri Lanka, is working with the government and other aid agencies to provide urgently needed food and emergency supplies to civilians who manage to escape the fighting.
As an independent, non-political humanitarian organization CARE is working in all parts of Sri Lanka since 1950. Throughout the 25-year conflict, CARE has provided support to conflict-affected communities in northern and eastern Sri Lanka through food production, infrastructure rehabilitation, savings and credit, income generation, and emergency assistance such as shelter, access to water and sanitation facilities.
Lalith Ganhewa is the Sri Lanka Guardian Correspondent in Germany.
He can be reached at slgfrg@srilankaguardian.org
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