Red Cross staff witness “humanitarian catastrophe” in Sri Lanka
BMJ 2009; 338 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.b2051 (Published 19 May 2009) Cite this as: BMJ 2009;338:b2051
All rapid responses
Politics, doctors and BMA
The parties involved had orchestrated the unprecedented sufferings of
these innocent civilians for some time. It would not be wrong to say that
this is a manmade blunder or ignorance to come to this stage. The
witnesses were excluded from the conflict zone for many years but for the
last few months it has been a complete out of bounds for any outsiders
including the United Nations and international Red Cross workers.
Could we, as doctors or international community have done something
differently to avoid this tragedy?
The United nation and redcross had been warning that there would be blood
bath and humanitarian crisis for the last few weeks. Eventually we are
witnessing the appalling suffering of these innocent civilians in their
own homeland. While no one is allowed by the Srilankan government to
witness the atrocities, the blaming and counter blaming of human shield is
not appropriate. It was estimated by the government that there were only
60 to 70 thousand civilians were trapped in the conflict zone. Now over
200 thousands have arrived to be monitored in interment camps. This
conflicting number does reflect the inaccuracies and how many left in the
war zone. The dead and injured including children, women and elderly are
left in the conflict zone without any access to outsiders. Srilanka is a
commonwealth country. They are part of the global economy and
interdependent on each other. There are well over 5000 Srilankan doctors
in UK. Politics, health, economy and social networks are not separable.
Surely the British medical association could do more to help this crisis
by liaising with relevant authorities responsible for atrocities.
The news about the 3 doctors working in the conflict zone is more
worrying. SOS call from these doctors to the international community had
been on air for many weeks. They were helping these innocent Tamils caught
up in the fighting while desperately looking for help. The working
conditions of this ‘’ designated safe zone is deplorable. They are not
only risking their lives from the fighting but also from the government
authorities for the reasons of communications to the international
community.
The British medical association, role?
1) Contact the Srilankan medical association to ensure the safety of
these doctors
2) Raise the awareness of the human right abuses for doctors in Srilanka
(It is important to highlight that there were 6 doctors and 60 patients
massacred by legitimate armed forces in teaching hospital in Tamil Nation
few years ago)
3) Formulate a system to prevent the appalling insult to mankind by the
way the injured patients are treated by the armed forces.
4) Liase with United Nations to ensure unhindered medical and food access
to the civilians targeted by armed forces while orchestrating genocide.
5) Ensure the safety of the medical witnesses of a crime by state
authorities.
6) Politics and health is not separable. With advancing technology it
would be appropriate to get involved in international politics to the
benefits of patients and doctors at international level
Competing interests:
None declared
Competing interests: No competing interests
It appears this report[1] was filed before the tamil terrorists were finally decimated by the Sri Lankan troops. Though 'humanitarian catastrophe' is an eye-catching headline, the Sri Lankan authorities take a different view[2] and things don't seem to be as bad as reported here[1].In fact,the post-conflict rehabilitation process has already begun and as confirmed by the outgoing US Ambassador, Robert O'Blake[3], "US had already provided US$ 21 million and each of the co-chairs would also assist in this endeavour".Mr O'Blake has also commended Sri Lanka for defeating terrorism[3].
Given the civilians in North East of Sri Lanka are no longer under terrorist-clutches,it seems the Sri Lankan authorities are clearing the mess before the civilians could be safely resettled in their original habitats. No doubt, this would take time because the terrorists had done untold damage and destruction to the infrastructure and other facilities before they were totally eradicated.
At least the civilians can now live without the fear of their children being forcefully recruited by the tamil terrorists or being held as human sheilds.
References
[1]Peter Moszynski.
Red Cross staff witness "humanitarian catastrophe" in Sri Lanka
BMJ 2009; 338: b2051
[2]]http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20090518_02
[3]http://www.island.lk/2009/05/21/news1.html
Competing interests:
None declared
Competing interests: No competing interests
More than 280,000 civilians held in military "internment" camps
belong to ethnic Tamil minority and ethnic majority Sinhalese Army
determines who has access to them. Access to these camps by the
International NGO's, Médecins Sans Frontières, Save the Children, OXFAM
and the ICRC are restricted. Why? Since the fight against terrorism has
ended there is no reason to prevent reputed international agencies and the
international media free and unfettered access to these camps. If we
don’t, we might be witnessing another unfolding of ethnic cleansing
similar to what the world saw in Srebrenitsa in 1995!
Basic human rights, free access to medicine and health care services
and basic sanitation standard in these overflowing camps needs to be
addressed immediately before catastrophic public health emergency arises.
These camps and the people must come under the care of UNHCR and free and
unfettered access to UNICEF, WHO and World Food Program.
In addition to the civilians held in the "internment" camps,
an additional 30,000-50,000 wounded and stranded Tamil civilians are still
in the “no fire zone” as their tents were clear from the satellite
photographs of the UN just before the end of fighting. Again these Tamil
civilians are malnourished, many with unattended wounds because of the
fighting at close proximity and must be treated for post-traumatic stress
but again are surrounded by and subjugated by the Sinhalese Army. The
safety of these Tamil civilians and their access to humanitarian workers,
medical professional and the international media are essential to their
safety and to prevent emergence of an epidemic. And of course, they as
humans are also entitled to basic human rights as well!
Competing interests:
None declared
Competing interests: No competing interests
280,000 Tamil civilians are held in military "internment" camps with
as your article states lack of food, water, shelter and medical
assistance. Families are separated and many are unaware of the fate of
their loved ones.
The International NGO's and the ICRC are being severely restricted to
provide services and assistance to the people in need.
The international and local media are not given access to the North
East to report the true situation. All access is through military and
government approval.
We fear young men and women who have been detained by the authorities
will face torture, extrajudicial killings and rape. It has happened in the
past by the Sri Lankan military and we know that it is happening today.
Many of the injured are languishing in Hospitals in the North East
who have also had their supplies of medicines resitricted.
We fear for the three Tamil doctors who had remained in the conflict
zone to give medical assistance to the injured and sick Tamils. The three
- Dr T Sathiyamoorthy, Dr T Varatharajah and Dr V Shanmugarajah - gave
eyewitness reports from hospitals and makeshift medical centres.
We already know that 69% of the children were malnourished during the
recent conflict due to the embargo of milk and baby products by the
government.
We as the Tamil diaspora cannot and will not forget the suffering of
our people and have come together to form The Relief and Rehabilitation
Network currently with 5 UK charities from medical, people working with
orphans and community organisations.
The Relief and Rehabilitation Network will aim to work with local
partners in Sri Lanka to deliver water, food and medical assistance and
highlight the plight of the people in the internment camps and those
injured.
A great task is ahead of us and we welcome the support of others and
the international NGO's working in Sri Lanka.
Competing interests:
None declared
Competing interests: No competing interests
Sri Lanka Needs Assistance,Not Criticism:Addendum
Following the elimination of tamil terrorism,there is now further evidence that the rehabilitation and resettlement process is gathering momentum. The following are some extracts from latest newsreports citing authoritative sources:
1.*"While many Tamils would be able to return to their original abode dominantly in the districts of Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu within 180 days, almost all others would get their homes back by December 31, 2009". It is also said,"Two key reasons why the resettlement would take longer time in the north compared to the east are the large number of landmines strewn across the region and the sheer size of it" and that "some NGOs were also engaged in de-mining, their quality was not as good as that of Sri Lanka's military and the Indian teams"
*source:http://indiatoday.intoday.in/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4...§ionid=4&Itemid=1&issueid=106
2.It is reported*,Sri Lanka's closest neighbour India has "dispatched a team of 27 doctors and paramedics to the war-ravaged northern Sri Lanka for helping the Tamil civilians. An Indian Air Force Il-76 left New Delhi for Colombo with the medical team, which included a surgeon and paediatrician" and that "Since March, India has been operating a self-contained emergency medical unit with hospital in Sri Lanka. The 110-bed facility has 62 members, including eight doctors and paramedics". Indeed," The Tamil Nadu government has pledged Rs.25 crore"
*source:http://www.hindu.com/2009/05/23/stories/2009052356261200.htm
3.It is also reassuring that the Australian government will provide* "an estimated $35.6 million in development assistance to Sri Lanka in 2009-10".
*source:http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20090522_10
4. The United Nations Secretary General's Special Aide, Vijay Nambiar had reportedly said*,"it has to be recognized that the evacuation of such a large number of civilians in the conflict zone as a considerable achievement on the part of the Government refuting allegations that the UN failed to prevent a bloodbath in Sri Lanka's conflict". He has also confirmed that " There is no restrictions on access".
*source:
http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20090522_09
5.On BBC website*, there is a moving story of a Sri Lankan(Sihalese) doctor who treated affected civilians as well as injured terrorist-fighters.He says "I feel hurt by the way the media cover this issue. They portray Sinhalese army and officials in a poor light. For me, all Tamils are the same. How many Tigers come to get treatment from us at the hospital? They are patients. It makes no difference to me. In Vavuniya, there are separate camps for LTTE fighters. They are being separated out and produced batch-by-batch to the courts. Then some of them are ordered to rehabilitation camps."
*source:http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/8062207.stm
Competing interests:
None declared
Competing interests: No competing interests