Aid Agencies Leave Kilinochchi

Foreign aid workers has begun leaving the Kilinochchi district through Omathai entry/exit point after the government issued a statement saying they can no longer guarantee their safety. The government's request to leave the district come as the military offensive is closing in on the town of Kilinochchi where the LTTE leadership is said to be hiding. The government has already carried out aerial attacks in Kilinochchi causing extensive damage to LTTE installations. Pro-LTTE sites has said the attacks destroyed civilian homes and expressed concern for the civilian's welfare in the absence of aid agencies. The government denied targeting civilians and claims that on the contrary, the LTTE is preventing the civilian movement and using them as human shields. Earlier, the government said they have set up safety corridors and relief centers for the civilians to move in to government controlled areas.

Among the aid agencies that has announced their pull out from Kilinochchi district are UN, OXFAM, Save the Children, World Vision, IOM and ZOA. ICRC is expected to maintain some presence in the area despite safety issues.