More than 25,000 civilians have fled Sri Lanka's war-torn north on Monday as government troops broke through into the Tamil Tigers' last stronghold, the military said.

Government footage showed a stream of thousands of people fleeing the area on Monday, April 20. Tens of thousands of people remain trapped in a no-fire zone, less than 14 square km on the country's northeastern coastline.

The government has given the Tigers a 24-hour window to surrender or face further military action, said defence spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella. The deadline ended at noon (local time) on Tuesday, April 21.

Civilians fleeing the war zone are seeking safety in temporary displacement camps where the need for medicines, food and shelter is growing.

"Tens of thousands of people have been flooding into government-controlled areas. We know from those who have fled earlier that these new waves of internally displaced survivors will be in great need, having been caught in the middle of a war zone for weeks.

There is great need for medicines, food and shelter. Humanitarian agencies want to be ramping up their responses to help," said Suresh Bartlett, World Vision Lanka's National Director.

Even as an end to Asia's longest running conflict seems to be nearing, the crisis is nevertheless set to pose a huge challenge in supporting the displaced persons.

Prior to Monday's exodus, over 65,000 persons were accommodated in camps in the Jaffna, Mannar and Vavuniya districts. The majority of these are housed in 16 camps in the Vavuniya district and World Vision is currently working in all these sites.

Staff busy preparing food packs at a World Vision Lanka warehouse in Vavuniya, Northern Sri Lanka for IDPs who have crossed over to government controlled areas in Vavuniya. Photo by A. Warnakulasuriya, World Vision.

In recent weeks, food packets have been provided to more than 25,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs). On a daily basis, nearly 70,000 litres of water are being distributed across various camp locations where those who have already been displaced are being cared for.

Breast feeding tents have now been set up in every campsite across Vavuniya district. World Vision is also working to set up Temporary Learning Spaces with activities for hundreds of war affected children.




The children and families from the Summer Island ADP in Sri Lanka are not affected.