More rockets strike Libya's Mistrata, humanitarian situation worsens

A fresh hail of government rockets crashed into the Libyan city of Misrata on Friday after Western allies denounced a "medieval siege" of the city and vowed to keep bombing Muammar Gaddafi's forces until he stepped down. A local doctor told reporters that at least eight people died and seven others were wounded in the second day of intense bombardment of Misrata, a lone rebel bastion in western Libya.

International humanitarian organizations are working hard to access those affected by the conflict, and assist those displaced by the fighting.

One of the issues the International Committee of the Red Cross is currently addressing is the risks of unexploded and abandoned ordnance. ICRC has sent a delegate to do weapon contamination assessment – something that too often goes unaddressed until after conflicts have been resolved.

“What he has seen so far is really worrying,” said Christian Cardon, ICRC spokesperson for the Libyan conflict. “Lots of vehicles, tanks… on the road close to Benghazi and Ajdabiya and other cities that represent a major danger for the local population. And obviously all the unexploded ammunitions that we can find surrounding those tanks.”

ICRC plans on sending additional specialists to Libya to assist local authorities in destroying these ammunitions and raise awareness among the population of their dangers.

Listen to Christian Cardon’s full interview with Kelsea Brennan-Wessels: