Libya: Help needed after tribal clashes in Nafusa mountains

Libya: Thousands need help following tribal clashes in Nafusa mountains

Tripoli/Geneva, 7 March 2013 – Over the past three days, thousands of people have been displaced by tribal clashes in Libya's Nafusa mountains. In cooperation with the Libyan Red Crescent, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is delivering food, medicines and other essential aid to more than 3,000 people who fled their homes to seek refuge in nearby towns.

The clashes started on 2 March in the town of Mizdah, 180 kilometres south of Tripoli. "Some of the displaced are living in difficult conditions, as they have taken shelter in unfinished buildings," said the ICRC's Asma Khalik Awan, in charge of distributing the aid.

Over the past three days, one-month food rations have been provided for 750 people in Garyat, some 140 kilometres south of Mizdah, and Nismah, 50 kilometres south of the town. "Today, 2,500 others will receive food, blankets, kitchen sets, and other basic items," said Ms Khalik Awan.

The ICRC has also provided the clinic in Mizdah with enough wound-dressing materials to treat up to 50 injured patients. The clinic administers first aid to victims before transferring them to a larger facility. Today, ICRC staff and Libyan Red Crescent volunteers will assess the medical situation in Ghrayan and Shqeiqa, situated 85 kilometres and 30 kilometres north of Mizdah, respectively. Other volunteers from the Libyan Red Crescent are helping the ICRC in Nismah, Garyat and Mizdah.

In Libya, the ICRC visits detainees, helps clarify the fate of missing persons and works with the Libyan Red Crescent to help people injured or displaced by violence. It also promotes greater awareness of the rules of international humanitarian law among the authorities, and helps make sure these rules are taken into account in training provided for the Libyan army and security forces.

For further information, please visit our website: www.icrc.org

ENDS

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