In the article by Nimmi Gowrinathan, entitled "Refugee Babies: The Lasting Effects of Tsunami Aid in Sri Lanka" it raises some questions about the social, political, and economic questions that affect the lives of the smallest victims--the children who were not only involved in the tsunami, but also the wars plagueing the country prior to the tsunami.

War orphans have now been left homeless with even their shelters and camps from the previous years destroyed. The orphans have move their shelter further from the water and closer to land mines. NGO are trying to aide in relieving the suffering of the tsunami victims, but the country after the bitter war also needs to be built up.

Children have been traumatized. The Sri Lankin Government is financially distraught and many are hoping for a positive political climate void of violence and war. The question remains, where do the surviving refugees go? Who is going to be willing to donate land for shelter?

The final questions raised in the article creates a layer of despair for the children and refugees.

Unfortunately, the tsunami was not only devestating to hundreds of thousands of lives, but it brought an increasing amount of aide to a worntorn country where aide, assistance, relief workers, and humanitarian infrastructures can help to rebuild a country if the good is allowed to grow. Because of the global efforts to aid the countries effected by the tsunami, the individuals may be able to benefit because of the world wide relief effort. When there is a united global front there is hope to stop wars and rebuild a country. I was just pleased there was a global outpouring of financial assistance for the victims that can be used to aide those in need.

I think this article does paint a realistic picture of the unknown future for the children who unfortunately for the most part remain powerless to circumstance.

http://www.international.ucla.edu/asia/article.asp?parentid=21403
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