Muslim Aid condemns violence in Sri Lanka, at least 35,000 Muslims reportedly displaced

Muslim Aid, a charitable organisation headquartered in London, today unreservedly condemned the killing of 15 employees of French charity Action Against Hunger (Action Contre Faim) in the strife-torn town of Muttur in Eastern Sri Lanka.

The aid workers, who were from the local, ethnic Tamil community, had been working on post-Asian tsunami relief and reconstruction. While it is unclear who is behind the killings, Muslim Aid is calling on the Sri Lankan government to work towards bringing about an immediate ceasefire in the region.

"We appeal for a cessation of hostilities to allow the civilians to get out of Muttur," said Farooq Murad, chairman of Muslim Aid. "We deplore the loss of innocent civilian lives. We would like to see the situation return to normal, in order to enable displaced people to resettle back in Muttur and restart their lives."

Farooq Murad added that it is also very worrying to see that NGO workers are now being targeted, which makes working within the field even more challenging.

More than 60,000 people have died in the decades-old conflict between the Sri Lankan government and rebel forces such as the Tamil Tigers.

Muslim Aid has built 130 homes, community centres, medical clinic and rehabilitation centres for tsunami victims in Batticaloa. Muslim Aid has also implemented water supply projects in eastern Sri Lanka that have gone a long way towards helping survivors of the tsunami to get back on their feet.

In Nilaveli, Muslim Aid replaced the water pumps destroyed by the tsunami, assisting 167 families. In addition, working with the Sri Lanka-based Al-Husna Foundation, Muslim Aid trucked water to the villagers of Muttur.

In recent months, the deteriorating situation has been of increasing concern to Muslim Aid, who is calling on the government of Sri Lanka to take the necessary steps to ensure the safety and security of all its citizens. On Friday, residents of Muttur and surrounding villages have started fleeing the violence, and Muslim Aid has identified an immediate need for funds to aid in the resettlement of these refugees.

"There has been an initial displacement of at least 25,000 people from the town of Mutur," said Amjad Mohamed-Saleem, country director of Muslim Aid Sri Lanka. "The latest reports are that as many as 35,000 people could have been affected. Muslim Aid, in conjunction with other international NGOs, and relief agencies, are operating in tandem to assist these refugees."

Muslim Aid is currently one of the leading agencies coordinating the relief effort, with local and international organisations and the government, particularly for non-food items. Along with the United Methodist Committee On Relief (UMCOR), Muslim Aid is one of the few international agencies with staff on the ground.

Muslim Aid is managing and supervising 11 out of the 23 camps in the region.