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Refugees in besieged Misrata await aid
Thousands of refugees and migrant workers are awaiting rescue from the besieged town of Misrata after Britain pledged to play a leading role in their evacuation and provide vital medical supplies to people caught up in violence across western Libya.
The British government has announced it will provide funds to the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) to charter ships to rescue those who have managed to reach the docks of the rebel-held area.
Further funds will go towards critical medical aid, to be provided by the International Medical Corps, for civilians in towns across western Libya, International Development Secretary Andrew Mitchell said.
Around 1,000 of the most severely sick and injured people safely arrived in the rebel-stronghold of Benghazi on Monday night, after being evacuated from Misrata by the IOM, it has been reported.
However, it is estimated that up to 4,000 refugees await rescue from the besieged town, which has become the scene of relentless bombardment by Colonel Muammar Gaddafi's forces in recent days.
