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Tsunami syndrome – 1,000 children orphaned, 3,200 left with single parents

UNICEF sources indicate that about 1,000 children have been orphaned and 3,200 left with either father or mother dead in the Tsunami disaster. It is said that UNICEF is getting full support for their humanitarian efforts from both the government and the LTTE in all the locations including NorthEast.

Mr.Ted Chaiban, Country Head of UNICEF in Sri Lanka said this in a media briefing that took place in Colombo Hilton on Thursday.

Excerpts:

We have received six complaints of sexual abuse on children and there are two reported cases of abduction.

About 59 schools have been completely destroyed, 102 partially damaged and 260 schools are being used as welfare centres. Though most of the schools were re-opened on 10 January as per schedule, attendance in many of them was less than 50%. UNICEF, along with Save the Children Fund and the Child Protection Authority, is now engaged in the process of collecting data pertaining to the impact on the child population and evaluating the situation in general.

UNICEF’s field officers are engaged in humanitarian delivery in Mullaittivu and other areas administered by the LTTE and they are getting full co-operation from the LTTE and the government in all locations.

15 January 2005

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