UNICEF: Increasing number of children injured in fighting in Sri Lanka

Kathmandu, Feb.3 (ANI): Calling the situation a crisis for children, UNICEF today said that an increasing number of children, some just months old, had been injured in the fighting in Sri Lanka in the past two weeks. UNICEF again called upon the Government of Sri Lanka and the LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam) to give absolute priority to the safety of children and the wider civilian population.

"We have clear evidence that children are being caught in the crossfire, and that children are being injured and killed," said UNICEF's Regional Director for South Asia, Mr Daniel Toole. "It is crucial that safe areas, schools and medical facilities are protected and considered zones of peace, in all circumstances.

"Children are bearing the brunt of a conflict which is not theirs. We are gravely concerned for the tens of thousands of children who are trapped in a fast shrinking area of intense conflict."

UNICEF reiterated its calls of last week for children and civilians to be protected from the fighting and allowed to move freely to safe areas. UNICEF said it was relieved to see that a group of injured children were evacuated yesterday to a Government hospital to receive proper medical treatment. "Every other injured child must immediately be taken from the conflict zone so that they too can receive appropriate medical support," said Mr Toole.

In addition to being exposed to the conflict, UNICEF said that children are living in conditions with inadequate health care, safe water, sanitation and shelter.

"The best possible thing for these children and their families is to be able to move to safe areas that are free of fighting, so that they can receive support and assistance," said UNICEF's Regional Director for South Asia, Mr Daniel Toole. (ANI)