ID :
183070
Thu, 05/19/2011 - 08:10
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/183070
The shortlink copeid
FIGHTING IN LIBYA DENYING MEDICAL AID TO CIVIILIANS
KUALA LUMPUR, May 19 (Bernama) -- Fighting in Misrata and other cities in Libya is denying medical aid to civilians and causing casualties among health personnel, according to the International Committee of the Red Cross.
The ICRC said the Libyan Red Crescent has reported that three of its ambulances have been hit in three separate incidents in the past four days, resulting in the death of a nurse and injuries to a patient and three volunteers.
It has received allegations concerning the misuse of red cross and red crescent emblems to support military operations and the use of ambulances to transport arms and weapon bearers, the Geneva-based organisation said in a statement posted on its website.
"All parties to the conflict must refrain from harming injured people, medical personnel, medical vehicles and medical facilities," said Georgios Georgantas, the ICRC's deputy head of operations for North and West Africa.
He stressed that medical personnel and ambulances must be allowed to reach the wounded and reiterated the ICRC’s call to the authorities and to all weapons bearers to respect medical services and the emblems of the red crescent and red cross.
Misrata’s two main hospitals are struggling to cope with the injured after many specialised doctors and nursing staff fled the city.
"Treating critical cases is difficult, and it is currently impossible to treat cancer patients and people with chronic diseases," ICRC doctor Gabriel Salazar said.
Last week, an ICRC team visited Al Hikma Hospital and the Libyan Red Crescent Hospital, delivering surgical kits and dressing materials. The team evacuated 108 civilians from Misrata to Benghazi. Thirty five of them were hospitalised, 25 of whom had weapon wounds.
Meanwhile, civilians continue to face risks from unexploded munitions in Misrata.
These devices had to be removed and the ICRC hoped to start work to dispose of them next week, said Herby Elmazi, the delegate in charge of operations to reduce such risks in Libya.
"Our approach will include training local volunteers and providing them with proper equipment so they can clear the most affected areas of the city,” he said.
Elmazi said the streets of Misrata had been heavily scarred by the
fighting with many unexploded munitions lying around.
Meanwhile, the ICRC clearance team is continuing its activities in Ajdabiya, working closely with volunteers from the Libyan Red Crescent.
So far, 300 unexploded devices have been removed from houses and streets, allowing a large number of families to return home, said the ICRC, which has a regional office here.
The ICRC said the Libyan Red Crescent has reported that three of its ambulances have been hit in three separate incidents in the past four days, resulting in the death of a nurse and injuries to a patient and three volunteers.
It has received allegations concerning the misuse of red cross and red crescent emblems to support military operations and the use of ambulances to transport arms and weapon bearers, the Geneva-based organisation said in a statement posted on its website.
"All parties to the conflict must refrain from harming injured people, medical personnel, medical vehicles and medical facilities," said Georgios Georgantas, the ICRC's deputy head of operations for North and West Africa.
He stressed that medical personnel and ambulances must be allowed to reach the wounded and reiterated the ICRC’s call to the authorities and to all weapons bearers to respect medical services and the emblems of the red crescent and red cross.
Misrata’s two main hospitals are struggling to cope with the injured after many specialised doctors and nursing staff fled the city.
"Treating critical cases is difficult, and it is currently impossible to treat cancer patients and people with chronic diseases," ICRC doctor Gabriel Salazar said.
Last week, an ICRC team visited Al Hikma Hospital and the Libyan Red Crescent Hospital, delivering surgical kits and dressing materials. The team evacuated 108 civilians from Misrata to Benghazi. Thirty five of them were hospitalised, 25 of whom had weapon wounds.
Meanwhile, civilians continue to face risks from unexploded munitions in Misrata.
These devices had to be removed and the ICRC hoped to start work to dispose of them next week, said Herby Elmazi, the delegate in charge of operations to reduce such risks in Libya.
"Our approach will include training local volunteers and providing them with proper equipment so they can clear the most affected areas of the city,” he said.
Elmazi said the streets of Misrata had been heavily scarred by the
fighting with many unexploded munitions lying around.
Meanwhile, the ICRC clearance team is continuing its activities in Ajdabiya, working closely with volunteers from the Libyan Red Crescent.
So far, 300 unexploded devices have been removed from houses and streets, allowing a large number of families to return home, said the ICRC, which has a regional office here.
