IDP: Red Lotus appeal to public

Red Lotus – the Buddhist equivalent of the Red Cross and the Islamic Red Crescent – has organized the distribution of food and other relief items to internally displaced people (IDP) following the influx into government controlled territory of Tamil civilians who fled LTTE-held areas, during the Security Forces Operations.

The relief campaign was decided in consultation with government authorities following a meeting of Buddhist organizations at Red Lotus headquarters, Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Colombo.

Following is the full text of the Red Lotus appeal to the public:

Red Lotus – Sri Lanka
National Buddhist Organisation for Humanitarian Services
380/7, Sarana Road, Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Colombo 07, Sri Lanka
Tel: +060-2167555 Fax: +94-11-2683016
E-mail: redlotuslk@yahoo.com
April 28, 2009

AN APPEAL ON BEHALF OF BUDDHIST ORGANIZATIONS

The Buddha, the All Compassionate One, spent 45 years after his Enlightenment serving humanity. His clarion call was ‘Parattham patipajjatha’ – ‘Work towards the welfare of others’. Wesak is round the corner and let our hearts open out with true compassion for the well-being of our fellow countrymen in the North of Sri Lanka who have undergone untold suffering in the hands of a terror organisation and have just escaped.

At the request of Buddhist organisations an emergency meeting was convened by the Red Lotus Humanitarian Organisation at the headquarters of the Dharmavijaya Foundation, 380/7 Sarana Road, Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Colombo 07.

Due to the recent successes in the humanitarian efforts of our army, there has been an unprecedented exodus of innocent people who have been terrorised to the government protected areas. Hence, a situation has arisen where basic medical and other needs are in short supply and are urgently required.

After discussing with the government authorities and with the personal knowledge of the participating organisations through contacts, the following items were identified for collection through organisations and well wishers.

1. Milk Powder (400 gram packs) – (i) for infants and (ii) for lactating mothers
2. Normal milk powder for children
3. Glucose / Glucolin (100 gram packs)
4. Siddhalepa (medium size)
5. Paracetemol (in boxes) – (i) for children and (ii) adults, separately
6. Jeevani packets (in boxes)
7. Soap –(i) for washing of clothes and (ii) for personal hygiene

In order to facilitate distribution according to requirements of each individual / family, please do not make distribution packs with items mentioned above. On the other hand, please sort the items collected / purchased and pack each individual item separately in boxes and mention the contents and quantity on each of the boxes. For sake of common identity, a sticker is being designed and this will be sent within 3 days. In order to cut down on delays and minimise waste, each organisation is requested to get the required number of stickers printed by them.

It was everyone’s wish that the first consignment be sent to the IDP camps before Wesak. Hence, we kindly request to hand whatever you have collected by Wednesday, May 06th at either the Red Lotus office or the Dharmavijaya Foundation office situated at 380/7, Sarana Road, Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Colombo 07. Cash donations too could be made. Kindly obtain receipts for any donation made. For any further clarifications kindly contact the following persons.

1. Mr. Ratnayaka – Red Lotus humanitarian organisation: 060-2167555
2. Mr. Premaratne – Dharmavijaya Foundation: 2698870

With thoughts of Metta,
Olcott Gunasekera
President