'Unimaginable disaster' unfolding in Sri Lanka
Heavy fighting between Sri Lankan army and Tamil Tigers creating "unimaginable humanitarian catastrophe", Red Cross says
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Friday, 15, May 2009 12:09
Ongoing heavy fighting between the remaining Tamil Tiger fighters and the Sri Lankan army has created an "unimaginable humanitarian catastrophe", the Red Cross says.
According the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), a ferry laden with supplies remains anchored several kilometres from hundreds of severely wounded or ill patients.
But it is unable to offload food or medical supplies due to continued fighting after Colombo rejected international appeals to agree a lull in its operations as it attempts to end a 25-year plus insurgency from the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).
But the Red Cross says civilians are bearing the brunt of the offensive, with up to 50,000 trapped in the warzone according to the United Nations.
"Our staff are witnessing an unimaginable humanitarian catastrophe," said ICRC director of operations Pierre Krahenbuhl from Geneva.
"Despite high-level assurances, the lack of security on the ground means that our sea operations continue to be stalled, and this is unacceptable. No humanitarian organisation can help them in the current circumstances. People are left to their own devices."
Mr Krahenbuhl added: "We need security and unimpeded access now in order to save hundreds of lives.
"The ICRC stands ready to carry out its humanitarian work as soon as conditions permit."
Tamil Tigers have been fighting for an independent homeland for ethnic Tamils in the north and east of Sri Lanka since 1983.
More than 80,000 people are estimated to have died in the conflict.