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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]