ICRC joins Libyan medical teams

While the fighting continues in Libya, two ICRC medical teams have joined Libyan medical and surgical teams in Benghazi and Ajdabya, who are treating the wounded.

The first team was sent to the Al Jalaa hospital in Benghazi, which has received the bulk of the casualties since the onset of the crisis, where they are helping to treat casualties and replenishing emergency stocks.

Speaking to Vatican Radio, spokesperson for the ICRC in Benghazi, Hicham Hassan described the situation on the ground there as ‘acceptable’. “This allows us to go about the city and try to look at hospitals, the needs and to try to actually work there.”

Following reports of troops intentionally targeting hospitals and key medical installations, Hassan said the ICRC are calling for the respect of medical services. “This is a service that is already lifesaving and tries to work on helping the injured person, to save their life. It should not at all be affected… not them, not the injured person, not vehicles or any medical property.”

Listen to our interview with Hicham Hassan here: