Download Introduction Rebel forces yesterday gained control of

International Medical Corps
Libya, Egypt & Tunisia SitRep 53 External
May 19, 2011
Introduction
Rebel forces yesterday gained control of the
border crossings between Libya and Sudan,
and Libya and Chad, and regained control of
Kufra in the far south-east. As Gaddafi forces
reportedly receive mercenary and material
supplies through the Chad border, the rebel
control is considered to be a significant
development. While control of the entire
border will be difficult, the rebels are reported
to have a large force in the region. The Niger
and Morocco border crossings remain under
Gaddafi control.
International Medical Corps team assisting with
casualties resulting from fighting in Zintan
At the Dehibat/Wazin border, shelling by
Gaddafi forces caused the closure of the
border post for most of the day, but has now
re-opened.
Zintan has faced constant shelling by Gaddafi forces since early this morning, with fighting occuring
on the eastern and northern fronts. Rebel forces have been able to push Gaddafi forces back on both
fronts. Six wounded and one dead have been received at the hospital. The fighting today, follows an
attack by 50 Gaddafi force cars trying to enter the city yesterday. Rebel forces repelled this attack on
the eastern entrance, with 19 Gaddafi forces killed and three wounded in this attack.
Heavy fighting is reported around the city of Yefren, with shelling of the city reported by artillery and
Grad rockets. Under siege, the situation in the city is said to be deteriorating with food and medical
supplies in short supply.
East of Yefren, there are reports of uprisings against Gaddafi control in the cities of Bani Waled and
Gharyan, which are both key southern approach locations to Tripoli.
In Tripoli, reports of NATO airstrikes continue. According to the Libyan government, NATO airstrikes
targeted the port in Tripoli today.
With the recent gains by opposition forces in Misurata, pushing pro-Gadaffi forces away from the city
of Misrata to the East and South, casualties continue to arrive at the hospitals, although at a lower
rate than a week ago. It is reported that seven people were killed in battles on the western and
eastern edges of the city on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, battles are ongoing between Gaddafi forces and opposition fighters between Ajdabiya and
Brega, with heavy shelling by both forces.
As of May 19, 2011:
LIBYA/TUNISIA BORDER AREA
International Medical Corps continues health post activities in Ra’s Ajdir and Dehibat. In addition, the
team is currently planning to provide staffing support to the Tataouine hospital which is facing
increased caseloads due to the estimated 150,000 Libyans who have crossed into southern Tunisia.
WESTERN LIBYA
Of the casualties today received in Zintan, those wounded included gun shot and shrapnel wounds,
laceration injuries and a right hand injury requiring amputation. Two of these casualties are being
transferred to Tunisia for further medical care.
In Misurata, International Medical Corps was able to yesterday provide medical care to some of the
Gaddafi force detainees being held by the rebel forces in Misurata, and referred a small number of
cases to the hospital. However, medical access to these prisoners remains limited.
International Medical Corps continues to provide support to the Misurata hospitals and, in addition to
providing medical care, teams are currently working with local staff to identify and prepare patients
who will be evacuated to Benghazi. The Al Hilal hospital has identified 49 patients who require
medical evacuation. These include major fractures/crush injuries, wounds from explosives/gunshots,
retinal detachment, heart failure, brain haemorrhage, oncology patients and one HIV patient in a coma
state.
The team reports that grad missiles and sporadic shelling are still heard daily, but are now more
distant at some miles away from the city center. The food situation is improving, with most items
available, including some fresh produce items.
To address surgical needs at the Al Hikma and Al Hilal hospitals, International Medical Corps has
procured and is planning to send surgical sets including: two vascular instrument sets, two basic
craniotomy sets, two adult craniotomy sets, two thoracotomy sets, two basic laparotomy sets, two
small bone sets, two basic major orthopedic sets and other instruments. These will be distributed to
these facilities based on identified needs.
EASTERN LIBYA
International Medical Corps Benghazi team is currently preparing to provide on board care for medical
evacuations on the next IOM boat, expected to travel to Misurata by the end of this week. To provide
capacity for 100 beds on board, International Medical Corps is arranging a team of approximately 34,
including physicians, medical students, nurses, one pharmacist and a medevacs coordinator. In
addition, necessary medical supplies for onboard medical care during evacuation and for supply to
Misurata hospitals have been procured. These include: six emergency kits, four first aid kits, 21
oxygen cylinders, nine portable oxygen cylinders, antiseptic medications, anesthetic medications, pain
relief medications, antibiotics, cold chain medications, eye and topical preparations, anti-inflammatory
drugs, cardiac medications and diabetes medications, as well as general surgical supplies including
gloves, syringes, needles and gauze. To ensure that the operation runs in an effective manner,
International Medical Corps is coordinating plans with the MoH, the NTC health committee and local
hospitals.
In Benghazi, International Medical Corps is continuing training for staff to provide psychological
support to those affected by the conflict and today completed a two day psychological first aid training
course for staff at the Benghazi Medical Center. Further trainings are being considered in response to
further requests from the Al-Jella Medical Center and from the Ministry of Education to provide
training to teachers tailored to working with children.
International Medical Corps also continues in activities to establish a referral network for sexual
assault survivors, today meeting with psychologists from the Benghazi Psychiatric hospital for further
discussions on counseling survivors of rape.
International Medical Corps has been working with the Libyan Scouts Association to identify needs for
IDPs in neglected areas, with distributions of hygiene kits, blankets, kitchen sets and other non-food
items planned to be shortly undertaken. With many IDPs still residing in schools in eastern Libya,
adding to the difficulties of re-opening schools, a representative of the Ministry of Education has
stated that IDPs will be able stay in schools as long as they are grouped together into a reduced
number of schools, allowing other schools to open.
In addition to providing support to health facilities, International Medical Corps continues in activities
to establish a Benghazi rehabilitation center for war-wounded and also continues in effort to provide a
short term supply of urgently needed ARV medications with assistance from GIK partners for two
facilities in Benghazi.
Rabih Torbay
VP, International Operations
[email protected]
Hakan Bilgin
Country Director - Libya
[email protected]
Robert Lankenau
Team Leader - Tunisia
[email protected]