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In response to the ongoing fighting in and around Tripoli, the Government has announced that it will contribute €100,000 to help deliver much needed medical supplies to some of the city’s main hospitals.

Announcing the funding, the Tánaiste said that Ireland would provide the funds to the International Committee for the Red Cross (ICRC) to support its efforts to provide medical and surgical supplies to hospitals treating those wounded by the hostilities.

The Tánaiste said:

With fighting continuing in several areas of Libya, including residential areas in Tripoli, hospitals are running desperately short of medical supplies. Scores of civilians have been killed or injured, and medical assistance is urgently required. This funding will help the ICRC scale up their operations in the Libyan capital, deploy surgical teams and equip local hospitals with medical supplies to treat the casualties

The €100,000 announced today brings the value of the Government’s response to the crisis in Libya to almost €1.3 million, including funding provided to the International Organisation for Migration and tents and blankets for use by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

Minister of State for Trade and Development, Jan O’Sullivan, said that the ICRC is in a strong position to deliver the assistance.

Minister O'Sullivan said:

The ICRC is working directly with some of the main hospitals in Tripoli and has already delivered enough emergency supplies to treat several hundred casualties. Further consignments are likely to include surgical kits, dressing materials and drug supplies. Ireland’s support will also allow the ICRC to visit prisoners and those arrested or detained in relation to the conflict