Manama: A medical team sent by Qatar to assist the victims of violence in Libya is facing difficulties at the western frontiers of the Arab African country, currently battling a popular uprising that has left hundreds dead and sparked a refugee crisis.
"Based on the report by our partners who are already in the field, no restrictions are recorded from the eastern frontiers. However, there are some difficulties at the western frontiers of Libya," a spokesperson for Qatar Charity told Qatar News Agency (QNA).
The medical team sent by Qatar Charity in co-ordination with Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) is yet to reach its destination, the spokesperson said.
Qatar Charity's global partners in the medical and aid relief mission are Egypt's Arab Medical Union and Islamic Relief Worldwide from the United Kingdom.
Qatar Charity has pledged QR3.5 million in relief aid to the victims of the revolt against the embattled Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi.
Other charity groups from Qatar have joined the humanitarian operations in Libya and a series of relief campaigns have been launched. On Sunday, 40 tonnes of relief aid was dispatched to Libya, according to Qatari media reports.
Qatar Red Crescent (QRC) has launched a relief campaign which "aims to provide QR6.5 million worth of assistance to the afflicted" in Libya, according to reports.
Charity groups in Doha have pledged an aggregate of around QR10mn worth of medicines, medical equipment, food and relief supplies to the victims of civil unrest which has seen people fleeing from Libya to neighbouring countries.
According to the United Nations, the situation on Libya's border with Tunisia has reached crisis point, as tens of thousands of foreigners flee unrest in the country.
The UN High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres has expressed his concern for refugees and other foreigners who might be trapped in the beleaguered North African nation.
