2nd lead:

UNICEF official meets TRO, children in Mullaitivu

[TamilNet, Monday, 03 January 2005, 10:35 GMT]
Ms Carol Bellamy, Executive Director of the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF), travelled to Kilinochchi Monday morning around 8.30 a.m., where she met with children from Senthalir Illam who had escaped death and Mr. Reggie, Executive Director of the Tamil Rehabilitation Organization (TRO).


Senthalir Childrens Home damaged by the Tsunami waves.

UNICEF Executive Director, Ms Carol Bellamy. (Library Photo)

Ms. Bellamy met and consoled 38 children who escaped death in the Tsunami that wiped out Senthalir Illam. The remainder of the 113 children housed in the orphanage died in Sunday’s tragedy. Senthalir Illam is an orphanage run by the Women’s Rehabilitation Organization (WRO).

Thereafter she went to Mullaitivu town and witnessed the destruction. She later told local journalists that most of the victims of last week’s Tsunami that hit the coastal areas of South Asian countries were children. "Irreparable damages had been caused to children and women. UNICEF would assist all affected areas," she told the local press.

UNICEF head meeting the Emergency Task Force

UNICEF head meeting the Emergency Task Force

UNICEF head meeting the Emergency Task Force

She commented that the rehabilitation work and management of refugee camps in the northeast areas seemed highly efficient. UNICEF would also contribute its part with the Task Force in the government and LTTE controlled areas, she said. Ms Bellamy inspected the refugee camp located at Mulliyawallai Vidiyanantha College and the office of the Task Force.

Ms Bellamy later met with Mr. Reggie at the TRO office in Killinochchi. She was briefed about the role now being played by the TRO and other proposed relief and rehabilitation activities, sources said. Ms Bellamy informed Mr Reggie that her organisation would do its best to provide assistance to the children affected by the Tsunami.

While in Kilinochchi, Ms Bellamy also met with Mr S P Thamilchelvan, the Head of the LTTE’s political wing. She had expressed her appreciation for the work done by the Liberation Tigers in assisting those affected by the Tsunami, sources in Kilinochchi told TamilNet.