UNICEF Statement on the Easter Sunday attacks in Sri Lanka

23 April 2019– UNICEF is deeply shocked and saddened by the terrible violence directed against families including children, gathered in churches and hotels on Easter Sunday, across Sri Lanka. UNICEF expresses its deepest sympathy to the victims, families and communities impacted by these brutal attacks.

News of how these attacks have affected children and adolescents is still coming in, but we now know that scores of children – both Sri Lankan and other nationalities – have been killed and injured. Many are wounded and are now fighting for their lives in intensive care units across the country. To date, 27 children have died as a result of the blast that occurred in St Sebastian’s Church Katuwapitiya, Negombo and 13 children lost their lives in Batticaloa. While 20 children have been admitted to hospital in Colombo. Many children have lost one or both parents, and countless children have witnessed shocking and senseless violence.

UNICEF is working closely with Government partners to collect reliable information on situation of children and adolescents impacted, whilst providing much-needed hospital supplies, reuniting separated children with their relatives and providing psychosocial support to children and families. UNICEF condemns this violence in the strongest possible terms. No child should experience such a heart-breaking situation and no parents should lose their child under such horrible circumstances.

ENDS

For more information, please contact:

Unicef UK Media Team, 0207 375 6030, [email protected]

Emily Craigie, 0207 375 6058, [email protected]

About Unicef

Unicef is the world’s leading organisation for children, promoting the rights and wellbeing of every child, in everything we do. Together with our partners, we work in 190 countries and territories to translate that commitment into practical action, focusing special effort on reaching the most vulnerable and excluded children, to the benefit of all children, everywhere.

Unicef UK raises funds to protect children in danger, transform their lives and build a safer world for tomorrow’s children. As a registered charity we raise funds through donations from individuals, organisations and companies and we lobby and campaign to keep children safe. Unicef UK also runs programmes in schools, hospitals and with local authorities in the UK.

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