Please help us buy 5000 bars of soap every two months for the families living in the IDP camps in the north of Sri Lanka

Whilst the civil war in Sri Lanka is over, many thousands are still suffering as a result of displacement from their homes and communities. Many of these people fled the violence, escaping only with their lives. Their lives are now in danger by a new enemy, poor sanitary conditions they face in the IDP camps. 

 

The Tea Leaf Trust, together with Sri Lanka Unites (www.srilankaunites.org) is raising money to buy soap for the people currently living in the IDP (internally displaced persons) camps in the north of Sri Lanka. It is estimated that over 220,000 people are living in these camps while they wait to be rehoused and relocated. 

Conditions are poor, particularly sanitation; research by Sri Lanka Unites shows that there is 1 toilet to every 250 people. This has recently been reduced from 850 people.

As you can imagine, this can lead to many problems; these toilets often overflow and the result of this is many people, particularly children, tread this filth back into their tents, which house up to ten people. This can lead to outbreaks of diseases such as dysentery (inflammation of the intestines) and diarrhoea, which can cause premature death.

Improved sanitation can stop these breakouts; being able to use soap greatly decreases the risk of bringing faeces back into the camps, and with this is in mind, Sri Lanka Unites has asked the Tea Leaf Trust to coordinate the collection of 5000 bars of soap every two months until the camps close. 

1 bar of soap costs 30 rupees, which means that for every pound donated, six bars of soap can be bought for the camp.

Please help us raise money for this worthwhile cause. We are so grateful for your support and we appreciate that many have you have given so much so often. However, your pound goes so much further in Sri Lanka, so even the smallest amount you can spare will really improve the quality of life for these people, who are at present living in the worst of conditions.

A little more about Sri Lanka Unites

Sri Lanka Unites is a youth movement, which aims to unite young people of all ethnic and religious groups across Sri Lanka, providing hope and promoting reconciliation and thereby creating a peaceful and prosperous nation for future generations. Please visit their website for more info

Sri Lanka Unites are also coordinating with other organisations throughout Sri Lanka, to provide other desperately needed items to improve sanitation in the camps e.g toothpaste, toothbrushes, flannels, towels and footwear.