he war was over. In political terms, this meant the end of the conflict. But for people affected by Sri Lanka’s 25-year civil war, the struggle continues—mourning dead loved ones, recovering possessions, and restoring homes and livelihoods.
T
On May 18, 2009, the Sri Lankan government ended its war against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (commonly know as the LTTE or the Tamil Tigers). Still, many areas lie in waste and are littered with landmines. The fighting has left homes and liveli- hoods destroyed. The majority of internally dis- placed persons (IDPs) have resettled, but they still depend heavily on food aid. Many children are severely malnourished and have not had consistent, quality schooling for years, leaving them far below national educational standards.
SRI LANKANS FACE THE EFFECTS OF THE CIVIL WAR WITH THE HELP OF THE CHURCH
by NCM Lanka Staff
Sri Lankans are working hard to rebuild their lives, and Nazarene Compassionate Ministries staff are working hard to support them.
Facing Sorrow and Anguish In the north and east, thousands of children who have been orphaned are in need of educational, nutritional, and emotional support. In addition, an estimated 89,000 women widowed during the war still struggle to survive from one day to the next.
Medona, a mother of five, was widowed when her husband and children were killed in an attack.
“Four of my children were killed while we were flee- ing,” she said. “Now, we live together in a makeshift home, but we have no jobs, no income.”
The country has neither the capacity nor the funds to reach even a small percentage of these women with the aid they need. Widowed women, many of them young and vulnerable, are living in deepest poverty. They face harassment and denial of basic rights. Their stories paint an image of intense sorrow and anguish.
Darsica’s husband was killed during artillery shelling, and her 14-year-old daughter was sexually assaulted.
“[My other daughter] died in childbirth,” she said, remembering what she calls her worst nightmare. “Now, I take care of my grandson. We’re staying with relatives. I’m not even 40 yet, but I’ve lost all hope.”
Pavitra, who is now resettled in the north and lives in a clay house she and her three remaining children
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