UNICEF NZ (UN Children’s Fund)
Media Release

More children victims of Sri Lanka conflict, says UNICEF

Colombo, 17 February 2009. – With a growing number of children being recruited by the Tamil Tigers and scores of children being killed or injured in fighting, the UN Children’s Fund today expressed its gravest concerns for children caught up in the Sri Lanka conflict.

“We have clear indications that the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam has intensified forcible recruitment of civilians and that children as young as 14 years old are now being targeted,” says UNICEF Sri Lanka Representative Philippe Duamelle.

“These children are facing immediate danger and their lives are at great risk. Their recruitment is intolerable.”

From 2003 to the end of 2008, UNICEF has recorded more than 6,000 cases of children recruited by the Tamil Tigers.

“Child soldiers suffer physical abuse, traumatic events and face death. Instead of hope, fear defines their childhood,” says Mr Duamelle.

UNICEF is extremely alarmed at the high number of children being injured in the fighting in the northern area of Sri Lanka known as the Vanni.

“Scores of injured children have been evacuated in the past week. Children are victims of this conflict by being killed, injured, recruited, displaced, separated and denied their every day needs due to the fighting.”

The main injuries to children have been burns, fractures, shrapnel and bullet wounds. UNICEF reiterates the call it has made time and again to Government and the Tamil Tigers that civilians, especially children, must be given every protection from the fighting.

UNICEF, together with other UN agencies and partners, is responding to the emergency needs of 30,000 children and families who have been able to leave the Vanni and are now receiving humanitarian assistance away from the conflict. UNICEF is providing essential water and sanitation supplies, nutrition, protection and education.

UNICEF says it is crucial that all civilians in the Vanni are able to leave and reach a safe area where they can be urgently assisted.

ENDS

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