Colombo /
Geneva (ICRC) – Hundreds of people have been killed and scores of wounded are overwhelming understaffed and ill-equipped medical facilities in Sri Lanka's northern Vanni region, following
intensified fighting between the Sri Lanka Security Forces and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).
"People are being caught in the crossfire, hospitals and ambulances have been
hit by shelling and several aid workers have been injured while evacuating the wounded.
The violence is preventing the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) from operating in the
region," said Jacques de Maio, ICRC head of operations for South Asia in Geneva.
The terrified population is in need of protection, medical care and basic assistance, according to the
ICRC.
An estimated 250,000 people are trapped in a 250 square-kilometre area which has come under intense fighting.
They have no safe area to take shelter and are unable to
flee.
"When the dust settles, we may see countless victims and a terrible humanitarian situation, unless civilians are protected and international humanitarian law is respected in all
circumstances," said Mr de Maio.
"It's high time to take decisive action and stop further bloodshed because time is running out." The ICRC urgently appeals to both sides to allow and
facilitate the safe and voluntary movement of civilians out of the combat zone.
The ICRC is determined to stay as long as possible in the Vanni, but the parties must respect its presence
and its work.
Humanitarian assistance must be allowed to enter the Vanni and aid workers and their premises must be protected from shelling and looting, as required by international
humanitarian law.
Both sides are strongly urged to spare the lives of those not, or no longer, taking direct part in the fighting.
Hundreds of patients need emergency treatment
and evacuation to Vavuniya Hospital in the government-controlled area.
In response to the crisis, the ICRC is stepping up its support for Puthukkudiyiruppu Hospital in the Vanni.
The ICRC, which is the only international aid agency to have remained permanently in the Vanni over the past four months with the agreement of both sides, continues to work alongside the Sri Lanka
Red Cross Society helping those in need.
For further information, please contact:
Carla Haddad Mardini, ICRC Geneva, tel +41 22 730 24 05 or +41 79 217 32 26
Sarasi
Wijeratne, ICRC Colombo, tel +94 11 250 33 46 or +94 773 1588 44
A Sri Lankan soldier takes a picture of a memorial for Tamil Tiger rebels in the north eastern coastal city of Mullaitivu January 27,2009. Nearly 100 civilians have been killed in ...
