Stein Lied is a protection adviser for Save the Children in Vavuniya, Sri Lanka.

It's in the camps which have been receiving the newest arrivals that the situation is most overstretched and the families are most desperate. Our staff knew some of the people who were in the last flows of people from the 'No Fire' Zone - but they struggled to recognise them on arrival because they were in such poor condition and had lost so much weight.

It's Zone 2 - one of three areas where the main batch of Sri Lanka's camps for people uprooted by fighting in the north are located - where there is the most chaos. It seems to be more overcrowded than the others, and because of that, families are often split up.

Children show pictures of their friends and families killed or injured or separated saying, "This is my friend he was killed, this is my friend, he's now lost a leg, this is my brother, he's now dead."

I've met many children who are looking after their younger siblings because they've lost their parents. There are also young girls of 15 or so, who were married in Vanni, became pregnant or are now widowed with newborns. It's very sad.

Save the Children is setting up child-friendly areas in these camps so that children can resume some semblance of a normal life. These youngsters are sharing their worries through playing with other children and our staff.

When they throw stones in a game, for example, one stone is supposed to represent a mortar shell, many stones are a multi-barrelled rocket. And in their drawings too they are painting mortars, jet fighters, and big black tanks.

Despite the horror of their experiences, we are making a difference. One boy who's just 14 years old tried to kill himself twice firstly by hanging, and then by taking an overdose. But, after playing with our staff, he is now learning to deal with his pain.

Another incredible 16 year old boy who I met at a hospital in Mannar had lost both his arms and his two sisters had been killed. Yet he was already talking about the future - about getting out of hospital, about going to India and finishing his studies. Such stories give you so much hope.

For now though, the immediate humanitarian needs are huge. Some may not have even been treated for their injuries yet. We've seen a few children with metal pieces still lodged inside their skin. Others are limping around on crutches and with bandages. Some injuries are infected, and there are skin diseases. There has also been some chicken pox but I think that's now contained.

Only a lucky few have tents in Zone 2 - others are sleeping on the ground or under trees. So far only simple food and water has been distributed. Children are looking worryingly malnourished; very thin with swollen bellies. They are suffering from diarrhoea and dehydration. Families are receiving some rice and lentils to eat, but, if they're to recover, they will need protein and vitamins soon.

Save the Children is hoping to deliver clothes, pots and pans, blankets, learning materials, soap and kits for mothers with newborn babies soon. We also plan to continue setting up child-friendly areas and temporary schools. We're aiming to reach at least 50,000 people with our current plans.

In the camps which were well established before the first huge influx of people, things are better. There, families are receiving food and water, and are living in fairly good tin-sheet shelters. There is even an established visiting hour for friends and relatives.

As the aid operation is being stepped up, we hope to establish these kinds of conditions in all the camps. Things are improving. It is better than it was. I know we will be able to make a difference as long as we continue working as we are now.

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