The UN Country Team in Sri Lanka says it acknowledges the announcement by the government of Sri Lanka of additional measures that are intended to facilitate the freedom of movement of civilians who have been affected by fighting in the Wanni.

Measures that comply with international obligations governing the protection of civilians during armed conflict provide vital options for civilians as they make individual choices about where to seek safety and succor, it said in a statement.

The UN remains fully committed to assisting the government in its efforts to provide humanitarian assistance to those civilians who remain in the Wanni and to those civilians who leave the Wanni, said the statement.

Measures must be taken to prevent displacing people from their homes and livelihoods.

The UN has also raised with the LTTE its urgent concern that civilians be allowed maximum freedom of movement at all times, the statement added.

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