The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) advocates for the physical protection, medical care and basic assistance to hundred thousands people trapped in between the infighting of the Sri Lanka Security Forces and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in Vanni region of Northern Sri Lanka.
“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," stated in an ICRC release. It also added that hundreds of people have been killed and scores of wounded are overwhelming understaffed and ill-equipped medical facilities in the locality, following intensified fighting between the two parties for weeks.
Meanwhile, the Indian foreign minister Pranab Mukherjee air dashed in Colombo on January 27 amidst the media reports that the LTTE was using civilians as human shields. Mukherjee, while speaking to the reporters before leaving for the Island nation, stated that New Delhi only wanted to ensure the safety of civilians who had been caught in the crossfire. He however clarified that India had no sympathy towards the LTTE cadres.
"We are for fight against terrorists and all sorts of terrorism. Therefore, we have no sympathy for any terrorist activity indulged in by any organisation, particularly LTTE which is a banned organisation in India," Mukherjee commented.
The Indian minister, while meeting the Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa, urged the government to take initiative for the safety of Tamil civilians trapped in the troubled zone. Meanwhile, quoting the Lankan army chief Sarath Fonseka, the local media reported that the LTTE lost almost 95% of their operational area.
Jacques de Maio, the ICRC head of operations for South Asia in Geneva disclosed that people are being caught in the crossfire, hospitals and ambulances have been hit by shelling and several aid workers were injured while evacuating the wounded. The violence is preventing the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) from operating in the region.
He also revealed that, once the dust settles, one might witness countless victims and a terrible humanitarian situation, unless civilians are protected and international humanitarian law is respected in all circumstances. “It's high time to take decisive action and stop further bloodshed because time is running out,” he added.
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, 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.
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, argued Stephanie Bouaziz.
Speaking to this writer from New Delhi, Stephanie also informed that ‘in response to the crisis, the ICRC is stepping up its support for Puthukkudiyiruppu Hospital in the Vanni’.
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, she concluded.
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