Libya: ICRC ready to assist the injured
22-02-2011 News Release 11/37
Geneva (ICRC) – The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) deeply regrets the loss of life and the injuries that have resulted from the escalating violence in Benghazi and other Libyan cities. The organization calls upon the authorities, demonstrators and all others involved to respect human life and dignity at all times.
"The ICRC is in close contact with the Libyan Red Crescent Society, which has provided blood supplies for several hospitals in Benghazi," said Jean-Michel Monod, head of the ICRC regional delegation in Tunis which also covers Libya. "We have offered the society our direct support and want to assess the situation on the ground as soon as possible."
People who have been wounded in the clashes, and health-care personnel, vehicles and facilities, must be respected by all. Security forces must apply international standards governing the use of force in their efforts to restore law and order. Those arrested and detained must be treated in conformity with international law.
The ICRC is in contact with the Libyan authorities through that country's mission in Geneva. It is offering to provide support for national medical services in their efforts to care for people injured in the violence, and it stands ready to respond to any other urgent humanitarian needs.
The ICRC is a neutral and independent humanitarian organization operating throughout the world. It responds to the needs of people caught up in armed conflict and other situations of violence.
For further information, please contact:
Mohamed Ben Ahmed (Arabic, French), ICRC Tunis, tel: +216 98 432 393
Biljana Milosevic (English), ICRC Tunis, tel: +216 20 33 62 38
Steven Anderson, ICRC Geneva, tel: +41 22 730 20 11 or +41 79 536 92 50