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Sri Lanka: Patients forced to flee hospital in war zone, says Red Cross
(AKI) - Puthukkudiyiruppu Hospital in Sri Lanka's conflict-wracked Vanni region, has been shelled repeatedly in the last 24 hours, forcing hundreds of patients and staff to flee towards the north-eastern coast, the Red Cross said on Wednesday. Sri Lankan security forces are engaged in fierce conflict there with Tamil Tiger militants who are fighting for a separate homeland."We are shocked that a medical facility has again sustained direct hits. We have grave concerns for the well-being and safety of those who fled," said Paul Castella, head of the Red Cross delegation in the Sri Lankan capital, Colombo. "We call upon both parties to meet their obligation under international humanitarian law to spare and protect at all times the sick and wounded as well as medical facilities and their personnel." Over 300 patients and hospital staff fled Puthukkudiyiruppu Hospital and made their way to a community centre in Puttumatalan, in north-eastern Vanni, accompanied by 18 Red Cross staff. The area lacks clean drinking water, which puts the displaced patients and medical staff at even greater risk. The Red Cross has repeatedly asked both parties to grant safe passage so that patients and medical staff can be evacuated. "Both sides have been reminded several times of their obligation to spare wounded and sick people, and medical facilities and their personnel," said Castella. "But this needs to be put into practice in the field." The United Nations, the Red Cross and other local aid organisations have expressed concern that up to 250,000 civilians are trapped in the north-east of the country as the military offensive against Tamil Tiger (LTTE) rebels intensifies. Posted by: Fred 2009-02-06 |
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