Two Aid Workers Killed in Sri Lanka

by Michael Bear · 2009-02-12 07:24:00 UTC
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The Swiss Foundation for Mine Action sent out a statement earlier today that two of its staff have been killed in Sri Lanka.

According to the statement (which I only have over email):

"The Swiss Foundation for Mine Action (FSD) in Sri Lanka deeply regrets to announce that two members of its field staff were abducted on the 2nd February in Vavuniya town during their stand down leave period and subsequently found tragically murdered on the 10th of February near Vavuniya town."

At least two aid workers were killed in Sri Lanka last year.

Overall, so far this year, five UN staff, 4 UN contractors and at least one NGO aid worker have been killed in Gaza, as well as two UN staff killed in Somalia and two MSF staff in Pakistan.

Meanwhile, heavy fighting continues in northeastern Sri Lanka, where perhaps as many as 200,000 civilians remain trapped between the Sri Lankan military and rebel Tamil Tigers.

For their part, the Sri Lankan military has declared a new safe zone for civilians fleeing rebel-controlled areas; of course, given the fate of previous "safe zones", I'm not sure this is much comfort.

[Civilians fleeing the fighting in Sri Lanka - Photo from BBC / AFP]

Michael Bear
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