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ICRC appeals to fighters in Sri Lanka to ensure safety of civilians
The world has been blind to a major humanitarian emergency unfolding in Sri Lanka's northern Vanni region, according to the International Committee for the Red Cross (ICRC).
ICRC head of operations for South Asia, Jacques de Maio says almost no humanitarian assistance has reached the 250,000 people trapped in the past few weeks in a small area that has come under intense fighting between the Sri Lanka Security Forces and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE):
Sri Lankan girls from IDP camp, Kantale
"An all-out conflict in this context of highly densely populated areas make it extremely difficult to ensure protection, respect of the civilian population at large and of wounded and sick persons, in particular."
Mr. De Maio says the terrified population is in need of protection, medical care and basic assistance. The ICRC urgently appeals to both sides to allow and facilitate the safe and voluntary movement of civilians out of the combat zone.
Reporting for UN Radio, I'm Bissera Kostova.
(duration: 1'04")
