OneWorld.net (U.S.)

Baltimore, March 28, 2008 — Lutheran World Relief is providing emergency food rations to approximately 200 children under the age of 6 who have been displaced from their homes by recent torrential rains in Sri Lanka.

More than 7,000 people were forced from their homes by floods in Sri Lanka's Batticaloa region last week. Many of those people had already been displaced by fighting between the government and the Tamil Tiger rebels, and are now forced to move again.

Lutheran World Relief is working with the YMCA of Batticaloa to provide food rations to children in eight camps for internally displaced persons. LWR's Sri Lanka staff will continue to monitor the situation and may consider a longer term relief or reconstruction project if conditions do not improve.

The torrential rains that caused the flooding have ceased, and drier conditions are expected in the coming days.

"A rapid response is vital in the days following an emergency," said LWR President John Nunes. "Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, we have the agility to respond quickly to ensure that basic needs are met."

WHO IS LWR? Lutheran World Relief, an international nonprofit organization, works to end poverty and injustice by empowering some of the world's most impoverished communities to help themselves. With partners in 35 countries, LWR seeks to promote sustainable development with justice and dignity by helping communities bring about change for healthy, safe and secure lives; engage in Fair Trade; promote peace and reconciliation; and respond to emergencies. LWR is headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland and has worked in international development and relief since 1945.

Lutheran World Relief is a ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS), individuals and parish groups in international relief, development, advocacy and social responsibility.