Number of civilians affected

Number of civilians affected by the violence-Red Cross

SRI LANKA-The International Red Cross says civilian casualties in Sri Lanka have reached appalling levels, as fighting between the military and Tamil Tiger rebels intensifies.

Toon Vandenhove, the head of Red Cross' Colombo delegation, says the number of civilians affected by the violence, either as direct targets or as bystanders, has reached alarming numbers. He adds many of the victims have been children on their way to and from school.