Urgent need for hospital supplies in Sirte

A two-day ceasefire was called on Friday by forces of Libya’s transitional authorities to allow civilians to evacuate the city.

Gaddafi loyalist troops are slowly being forced back into Gaddafi’s hometown by National Transitional Council (NTC) troops.

According to a statement released by ICRC, oxygen is needed as medical supplies are running out and the water reservoir had been damaged. An ICRC team was informed by hospital staff that people were dying because of “a lack of oxygen and fuel for the generator”.

The ICRC team were given security clearance from both sides to visit Ibn Sima hospital within Sirte to deliver with medical supplies and kits for the wounded.

The team was however unable to visit wards as the hospital was attacked.

“Several rockets landed within the hospital buildings while we were there. We saw a lot of indiscriminate fire. I don’t know where it was coming from,” said ICRC team leader Hichem Khadhraoui.