22 November, 2007 - Published 17:42 GMT

22,000 refugees 'since September'

The ICRC says that at least 22,000 people have fled their homes in the north since early September.

The figure is compiled using the information given by the local authorities, ICRC spokesperson for Asia and the Pacific, Carla Haddard told BBC Tamil Service.

The ICRC is working together with other relief agencies to provide them with basic needs such as drinking water and sanitary facilities, she added.

The refugees are fleeing both government-controlled and LTTE-held areas according to the spokesperson who spoke from her office in Geneva.

Until 'next year'

"Especially that hostilities between the Sri Lanka security forces and the LTTE were concentrated in the past month in the Mannar and Jaffna districts, our office in Vavuniya and Mannar continued providing basic needs to these refugees," Carla Haddard said.

Regional authorities have informed the ICRC that the refugees would have to stay in the camps at least until January or February, next year.

She admitted that the ICRC workers were temporarily removed as recently fighting erupted near Omanthai check point.

However, the workers are back as the check point has been re-opened, according to the spokeswoman.