Jaffna Catholics to raise funds to help Vanni IDPs

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 06 August 2008, 05:17 GMT]
The Commission for Justice and Peace (CJP) in Jaffna peninsula has extended an appeal to all Catholics in the peninsula to generously contribute to a relief fund when special mass and Holy Communion will be held Sunday in the Catholic churches in the peninsula towards helping the 50,000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Vanni, according to the Catholic Guardian religious magazine.

Rev. Vasanthaseelan, the director of Caritias of the Social Economic Development Centre (SEDEC) for Vanni, in an interview to Catholic Guardian, said that in 15 days in July 50,000 people belonging to 9,175 families have been displaced from places including Muzhangkaavil, Mallaavi and Naachchikudaa .

The IDPs have sought refuge in the areas of Akkaraayan, Skanthapuram, Vannearikku’lam and Koaddaikaddiyaku’lam in Ki’linochchi district, he said.

The IDPs are in desperate need of temporary shelters, essential food, and medicine, and the funds raised will help to ease their suffering, he added.

The critical situation in Vanni was discussed last Monday in a meeting organized by Jaffna Bishop Rt. Rev. Thomas Saundranayagam where the attendees decided to hold special mass on Sunday in all Catholic churches in the peninsula to pray for the IDPs and organize a relief fund.