Temporary shelter in Arayampathi, Batticaloa

About 630 people have now been living in this school (which therefore can not operate) for nearly five weeks.











They fled into this community near Batticaloa when government 'rebel clearance' (artillery fire and multi-barrel rocketry) directed at them made their homes and rice paddies unsafe.

Conditions are survivable - the World Food Programme provides food and Merlin helps with mobile medical clinics - but these people must soon be given tents and their own space unless peace and reconstruction can tempt them back to their homes.