It is with deep regret that Sarvodaya note the worsening security situation particularly in the Eastern province which has resulted in a large of displacement of civilians. As it has always done in the past, the respective Sarvodaya field centres and staff responded quickly to the emerging crisis by working with other humanitarian organizations to provide the emergency relief services to those who were escaping the fighting between the government security forces and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Ealam (LTTE).
Immediately after the initial displacement of civilians from the Serunuwara area in the Trincomallee district on 9th December 2006, Sarvodaya undertook the responsibility of managing the Bhatiyapura camp which provided care for 162 Sinhalese families (680 persons). Few days later the large numbers of Tamil civilians displaced from the Vaharai area of the Batticoloa district were settled in several camps and Sarvodaya district staff took over the responsibility of providing care for over 1500 families. Cooked food, hygiene packs supplied by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and other essential items were provided.
Sarvodaya continues to respond to the crisis within its own resource constraints whilst still trying to influence the parties to the conflict to seek a peaceful resolution to the armed conflict. Community level peace activities and discussions based on the Vision Declaration are being continued despite the recent disturbances.