The Episcopal church has pledged to continue its support of the thousands of Sri Lankan refugees displaced by military skirmishes earlier this year.

Working together with the Organization of Eelam Refugees Rehabilitation (OfEFF) and several diocese in the region, Episcopal Relief & Development is planning to provide at least six more months of life-sustaining support and care for nearly 12,000 of the internally displaced persons (IDP's) in the country's .

"Our support will enable our partners to continue supplying critical food relief, as well as personal hygiene supplies, bedding, cooking utensils and other basic items that most people were forced to leave behind when they fled," said Nagulan Nesiah, Episcopal Relief & Development Program Officer for Asia.

"Our partners are also providing trauma care and psychosocial support to IDPs, who have experienced many years of war and violence, as well as being forced from their homes," he continued.

Nearly 300,000 Sri Lankans were forced to leave their homes earlier this year when a battle between the Sri Lankan government and the Tamil Tigers rebel group erupted. Now in the midst of a prolonged resettlement process, the IDP's are now facing hazardous living conditions due to heavy rains that flooded camps and destroyed common kitchens.

As an independent 501(c) (3) organization, Episcopal Relief & Development's programs work towards achieving the UN's 2015 Millennium Development Goals. The organization administers funds received from the Episcopal Church and other sources to provides disaster-relief services and to promote sustainable development.