UN acknowledges Govt's decision

The United Nations Office of the Resident/ Humanitarian Coordinator in Sri Lanka in a statement yesterday acknowledged the announcement by the Sri Lankan Government that it can no longer ensure the safety of aid workers in the Vanni, and its request that UN and NGO staff should relocate to Government-controlled territory.

The UN notes that the Government recognises it holds primary responsibility for ensuing the safety of humanitarian workers.

"The UN is now evaluating its operations in the area with a view to relocating humanitarian staff.

A precise timetable for the complete withdrawal of all staff is yet to be determined, but relocations will begin this week."

The UN remains fully committed to addressing the humanitarian needs of the civilian population in the affected areas and will continuously monitor the situation to assess how this can be done under the circumstances, it said