Reply #134: Libya: Situation in Rebel City of Misrata Has US 'Very Concerned'

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Source: ABC News



Libya: Situation in Rebel City of Misrata Has US 'Very Concerned'


US Says Rebels Face Constant Bombardment


By KIRIT RADIA
April 7, 2011


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The director of USAID's Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance, Mark Ward, told ABC News in his first interview since the agency's humanitarian experts first arrived in country on Tuesday that his teams had heard reports of severe casualties and shortages in the besieged city.

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Further west, where the fighting has been more intense, is another story. Ward said the U.S. is "very concerned" about the situation in and around Misrata, where forces loyal to Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi have bombarded rebel forces for weeks. Though aid groups are pre-positioned just outside the city they have not been able to enter, except for a few quick trips to drop off supplies, due to ongoing fighting. From those groups, Ward said, they hear the situation there is "dire."

In addition to heavy casualties, Ward says they've been told there are severe shortages of water, food, electricity, and medical supplies. He said the current strategy for NGOs is to pre-position the aid so that it can be sent in as quickly as possible if there is a lull in the fighting.

To that end, USAID has sent into eastern Libya 4-5 "health kits," which each contain medical supplies to stock a clinic capable of treating 10,000 people for three months. Each kit is about 3/4 the size of an SUV. Additionally the U.S. has provided several "trauma kits," which contain specialized supplies needed to perform 100 surgical operations.

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The shortage goes beyond supplies, Ward warned. He said there are also not enough adequate medical professionals, particularly nurses. Most who were in the country when the fighting erupted were foreigners who have since fled. The U.S. has provided funds to the United Nation's World Health Organization to train personnel farther east so that they can contribute.


http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/libya-war-us-concerned-humanitarian-situation-misrata-increase/story?id=13322746