Bienvenu en Libie libre?

Here a couple of my impressions from Libya. They are manifold and I wish I had the time to tell you how it felt. If I had to sum it up, I'd probably say that it makes you feel alive.

Hier einige Eindrücke aus Libyen. Diese sind vielfältig und ich wünschte ich hätte die Zeit um euch davon zu erzählen. Wenn ich es zusammenfassen müsste, würde ich sagen, dass man sich unglaublich lebendig fühlt sobald man die Grenze überschreitet.

Libya: It's war

The video below shows the destruction and violence prevalent in Libya. The material is graphic.

Das nachstehende Video gewährt Einblicke in die Zerstörung und Gewalt, die derzeit in Libyen vorherrscht. Vorsicht - das Material ist recht explizit.

Libya I

Nafusa Mountains (Western Mountains)

In the Nafusa Mountains opposition forces have been making gains. Governmental forces have been cleared out of vide areas of the mountain range, including the city of Yafran which had seen heavy fighting in the past, resulting in the destruction of numerous houses and the occupation and demolition of the local hospital, where medical personnel and their families had been taken hostage by government forces. Until today 100 individuals are seeking shelter in the hospital as their houses have been destroyed. At the time of my visit, the frontline was 20 minutes away from Yafran in Kikhla.

weapons and amunition

Torched tanks along the road side

France supplied opposition forces with weapons, Great Britain provided non-lethal assistance. Many villages like Cabao and Yafran have been abandoned. Large parts of the population fled to safer places like Jadu which is experiencing a heavy influx of IDPs. Nevertheless, the remaining population in the abondoned cities expects the displaced population to return quickly, especially as Ramadan is approaching. This impression also has been supported by the local councils as well as government authorities in Tataouine (Tunisia). Cars with Libyan families transporting basic NFIs like mattresses have been observed to cross the border fromTunisia into Libya in Wazin. I stayed over night in Cabao - during the night the border area around Wazin was shelled.

Hookah pipe

I visited hospitals in Cabao, Jadu and Yafran and interviewed health personnel and patients. A 16 year old boy with war injuries was brought to Yafran with the ambulance while I was there..Electricity supply is difficult - the hospitals that are bette off have a fuel geneator - fuel howeve is scarce. The visited health facilities are lacking adequate supplies of essential medicines as well as medical equipment. There are hardly any vaccines available. The hospitals are fully dependant on drugs and equipment supplied by the humanitarian community. Most donations come from Libyan Diaspora Organizations. There is need for coordination and quality control. The hygiene conditions in the hospitals are poor.

Another crucial issue is the shortage in health personnel, especially skilled nurses and specialized doctors are lacking, as most of the medical personnel including medical technicians were Third Country Nationals that fled the conflict zone.

'Gadhafi's home'

Currently the hospitals are supported by volunteers from inside and outside Libya. In Jadu there are 18- 20 volunteers active, covering among other areas urology, internal medicine, pediatrics, orthopedics and gynecology. Before the conflict only 4-5 doctors were active in Jadu hospital. However, the volunteers reported that they would return to their place of origin as soon as the conflict ends, which will further aggravate the already alarming health situation. Hospitals are currently the only access to health care. There are no private doctors in the area and pharmacies have been looted

The main caseload is fighters from both sides of the conflict – services largely seem to be provided in a non-discriminatory manner. Hospitals reported a drastic increase in complications during pregnancies and deliveries as well as premature deliveries - likely resulting from stress and trauma. The number of abortions is rising. Also the use of tampons and sanitary napkins reportedly increased. Infant and maternal mortality rates are expected to rise.

The entire region is lacking cell phone coverage since almost four weeks, hampering information transfer among the population on services and goods that might be available in cities in the vicinity and on the security situation. Hospitals and ambulances are not equipped with satellite telephones. Access to mass media like radio, television and newspapers is limited. In Jadu and Cabao some local newspapers and radio stations have been established in the course of the revolution.

Rebel check point

Long queues were observes in front of petrol stations. Some people wait as long as a week in the car hoping for fuel supplies. When available, fuel is handed out free of cost. A number of pick-up trucks with small fuel tanks could be observed to cross the border.

caption on the banner: "we will never give up,
we will win or die"

The lack of fuel negatively impacts the water situation as a number of pumps are operated by fuel motors. Gas shortages hinder people from preparing warm meals and safe water. There are no functioning markets in Yafran, Jadu and Cabao as the supply lines are disrupted. Food, baby food and infant formula are scarce. Many Libyans are crossing the border to get supplies and return in the evening – depending on the availability of fuel. 

The water provision largely relies on ground and surface water collection. The insufficient access to fuel also affects water supply. The population depends on bottled water. Use of contaminated water will increase risks of diseases. In Jadu as well as Yafran people reported that they refuse to access their regular water sources as those have been controlled by government forces or originate from government controlled areas and people fear contamination. In Cabao there is a public well with a motorized pump that runs on electricity supplied by the external network. However the most vulnerable cannot afford the comparatively high prices. The individuals living in the hospital in Yafran reported that they used to get supplied by the local council with one cup of water per person in the morning and another cup in the evening. Currently one family gets supplied with two liters of water per day.

Refugee camp in Tataouine, Tunisia

Before the crisis about 70% of the people were employed by the government in the education and health sector, police forces as well as public administration. Almost half of the households were depending on a single income source before the crisis. The average household size in the Nafusa Mountains is approximately 6-7 people, three generations usually live under one roof. Already before the crisis unemployment was estimated to be around 30%, particularly affecting the youth. In Nafusa Mountains employment opportunities outside the state sector have already been scarce before the crisis, as industry and trade in the area was limited. The income of families in Nafusa Mountains was about 150 USD per month. Salaries have not been paid within the last three to five month. Especially families that relied on a single bread-winner before the crisis, that could not accumulate savings, are in a vulnerable position.