Sri Lanka: ICRC carries on evacuation of sick and wounded by sea

By pearlaction | February 16, 2009 |

[International Committee of the Red Cross] A ferry flying the flag of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) left Putumattalan today for Trincomalee with over 400 passengers on board, including patients and accompanying family members. “The ICRC was able to take action because both parties granted safe passage to our ship and gave…

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Refugee stream from Sri Lanka’s war zone picks up

By pearlaction | January 16, 2009 |

[Reuters] Increasing numbers of refugees are fleeing Sri Lanka’s war zone, which is rapidly shrinking as the military bears down on the Tamil Tiger rebels’ last remaining territory, the military and the Red Cross said on Friday. “Families heading westward in search of safety are encountering other families moving eastward with the same aim,” ICRC’s…

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Massive displacement of civilians amid escalating conflict

By pearlaction | January 15, 2009 |

[ICRC] The ICRC has been helping them to maintain acceptable levels of hygiene, to keep in touch with relatives and to maintain hope. Fighting has prevented relief supplies from reaching the population in the Vanni for the past five days. “Civilians in the Vanni are weary from the conflict. Repeated displacements, often involving the loss…

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