Reference :
V-P-LY-E-00190
Date :
05/09/2011
Caption :
West of Tripoli, Janzor Province, Sidi Bilal. A Libyan Red Crescent volunteer playing with a child as sub-Saharan migrant workers wait for an ICRC distribution of hygiene kits to begin.
Confidentiality level :
public
Publication restrictions :
publication without restrictions
Description :
ICRC website, Operational Update 06.09.2011
Libya: taking action to help sub-Saharan Africans
The ICRC is concerned about the stigmatization of sub-Saharan Africans and certain Libyan communities in Tripoli and elsewhere in the country. "Civilians, whatever their nationality, political affiliation or race, must be protected at all times," said Georges Comninos, the head of the ICRC delegation in Tripoli.
ICRC delivers aid to a thousand sub-Saharan Africans
On 5 September, the ICRC and the Libyan Red Crescent distributed hygiene kits to about 1,000 sub-Saharan Africans who have taken refuge in the military port of Sidi Bilal, west of Tripoli.
"Sidi Bilal was a very dangerous place for these people to go to because of the unexploded ordnance there," said Per Bjerde, an ICRC expert. "Before distributing aid to them, we disposed of 62 anti-tank mines and 10 sea mines that were found in the area. We haven't heard of any fatal casualties, and now that the clearing operation is complete we are hopeful there won't be any."
The ICRC is coordinating its aid for the people in the port area with the Libyan Red Crescent and other humanitarian organizations. In addition, it is working with the local authorities to fully restore the supply of potable water. It will deliver food in the coming days. Meanwhile, together with the authorities, it is searching for a way to ensure the long-term security of the people in Sidi Bilal, for example by transferring them to a safer location.
Original material :
digital
Resolution :
4752x3168
Orientation :
landscape
Colour/B&W :
colour
