4 May 2009 - World Vision New Zealand is to donate NZ$48,000 in emergency funding to help support tens of thousands Sri Lankan civilians, including about 60,000 children, who are fleeing a brutal conflict between Government troops and the Tamil Tigers in the northeast of the country.

World Vision New Zealand's donation comes from funds raised by New Zealanders during 40 Hour Famine weekends, a portion of which was set aside specifically to provide immediate humanitarian and emergency assistance.

World Vision New Zealand's Acting CEO, Les Stephenson, said: "There is clearly great need in Sri Lanka among people affected by the conflict, particularly the children.

"World Vision staff are urgently responding on the ground and once again generous New Zealanders who support the World Vision 40 Hour Famine are able to stand shoulder to shoulder with those in need at this time through the funds we will donate."

The World Vision New Zealand donation comes in response to an urgent call to all World Vision support offices to raise at least US$3 million for unprecedented humanitarian relief assistance in Sri Lanka. World Vision Sri Lanka is currently operating a US$3 million emergency aid response, but wants to double that to US$6 million. An additional US$7 million is needed to help survivors return and rehabilitate them in their homes and villages.

About 300,000 children in total have been affected since the start of the conflict in 1983. Of the 70,000 lives lost, more than 10,000 are believed to be children, tens of thousands more have been emotionally and physically scarred.

Approximately 200,000 internally displaced men, women and children have arrived in camps in the north since the most recent mass exodus began on April 20, 2009 from a tiny enclave held by the Tamil Tigers into Government-held territory. Aid agencies estimate that another 50,000 people are still trapped inside the enclave.

World Vision Sri Lanka is already meeting the needs of 10,000 families with assistance, including water, supplementary foods, shelter and child protection - but much more needs to be done. At least 10 of the 20 displacement camps in Vavuniya are currently holding between two and five times their capacity, and displaced people have also begun arriving in the Jaffna Peninsula.

Hospitals are overflowing, and Suresh Bartlett, National Director of World Vision Sri Lanka, pointed out that water was fast becoming a major humanitarian issue. "The existing water table in the area was already low, and now it's becoming even harder to source water. At the moment, water is not even making it to the holding tanks in the camps - it is being distributed straight off the trucks," said Mr Bartlett.

Nutrition is also a critical issue for internally displaced people who have had little access to nutritious meals. Breastfeeding mothers and children under five years of age are particularly at risk after months of limited access to nutritional food.

More than 120,000 New Zealanders are currently preparing to take part in the 2009 World Vision 40 Hour Famine from May 22 to 24. By participating or donating to this year's Famine campaign, New Zealanders will again help contribute to the humanitarian and emergency fund, and help the fight against malnutrition in the developing world. For more information about the Famine, please visit www.famine.org.nz or text FAMINE to 883 to make a $3 one-off donation.