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As Conflict in Libya Escalates, International Medical Corps Teams in Libya, Tunisia &
Egypt Providing Critically Needed Care and Supplies
For interviews in Libya, contact:
Margaret Aguirre
Director, Global Communications
310.826.7800
maguirre@InternationalMedicalCorps.org
March 22, 2011, Los Angeles, Calif. ‐ Following weeks of strikes from government forces and the allied
coalition’s enforcement of a no‐fly zone, the crisis in Libya continues to escalate and endanger civilians
throughout the country. More than 290,000 people have fled the violence to neighboring countries,
primarily Tunisia and Egypt, scores of civilians have been killed, and a reported 600,000 inside Libya are
in need of humanitarian assistance.
International Medical Corps' emergency response teams in Libya and at the borders in Tunisia and
Egypt are assessing ongoing needs, providing medical care and critical supplies.
Western Libya:
• Although the border is currently closed to humanitarian agencies and journalists, International
Medical Corps is sending in supplies to address identified medical needs.
• International Medical Corps continues to monitor the situation and plans to enter Western Libya as
soon as it is feasible.
Eastern Libya:
• As a result of fighting and rising casualties, International Medical Corps is trying to access Ajdabiya
which is currently witnessing some of the heaviest fighting between rebels and government forces,
to assess humanitarian needs.
• Due to a major shortage of nurses in Libya, a team of International Medical Corps nurses and
doctors is supporting Benghazi Medical Center, the largest hospital in eastern Libya, which is
receiving a large number of casualties from Ajdabiya.
• International Medical Corps assessed the seaport in Benghazi as well as the local airport which has
lost radar functionality and is currently closed. This could affect the inflow of critical supplies.
Tunisia/Libya Border:
• International Medical Corps is coordinating with a local partner to implement comprehensive health
services at a transit camp and address a shortage of latrines and safe sanitation which could lead to
the spread of communicable diseases. The team is also working to distribute hygiene kits.
• With mental health issues on the rise, International Medical Corps is implementing psychological
first aid training for volunteers and primary health care workers.
• Although most fleeing the crisis are male migrant workers, International Medical Corps has found an
increase in the number of women and families.
Egypt/Libya Border:
• International Medical Corps is providing emergency health care to migrant workers at a clinic near
the border town of Salloum, Egypt.
• The team is also planning to conduct health outreach activities including hygiene promotion and
scabies awareness.
• The team continues to advocate for contingency planning mechanisms and coordination with all
involved agencies to prepare for any increase in arrivals across the Egypt/Libya border.
Through a $1 million grant from USAID’s Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA), International
Medical Corps is addressing immediate health care gaps in Libya. Teams are also assisting in establishing
a unified mechanism for reporting needed medical supplies and coordinating donated items. In addition,
International Medical Corps has been working to preposition essential medical supplies (such as surgical
instrument sets and basic health care equipment) and non‐food items (including hygiene kits, blankets,
and water containers) donated through gift‐in‐kind partners MAP International and AmeriCares.
Clashes between protestors and government loyalists began last month and intensified February 25 in
and around Tripoli. The number of those killed in Libya is thought to be in the thousands, while Internet
has been cut off and many foreign journalists are not allowed to enter the country.
For more than 25 years, International Medical Corps has responded to the needs of those displaced by
conflict, such as the 1994 Rwandan genocide and 1998 ethnic cleansing and conflict in Kosovo.
International Medical Corps is currently working inside Iraq and throughout Jordan, Syria, and
Lebanon to support displaced Iraqis, and assists refugees from Darfur on the Sudan/Chad border. In
Pakistan, International Medical Corps is supporting the millions displaced by conflict and the recent
flooding. For more information visit: www.InternationalMedicalCorps.org, or see us on Facebook
and follow us on Twitter.