Libya in 2016 is plagued by conflict. Multiple armed groups, fighting, crime, and kidnapping are destroying normal life. Families are fleeing their homes, or living in constant fear. The bright hopes of a few years ago have not become reality.
“What can I say about the situation?” asks Ahmed Mahdi. Ahmed is from Sirte, a city partially destroyed in various battles. “It is bad. There is no money, no medicine, no food, and roads are blocked, what can I say now? There is nothing good to say.”
Ahmed and his children are among hundreds of families who have come to an ICRC distribution centre to receive food and other basics like mattresses, blankets, and kitchen sets. Many families have lost everything they own.
But there have been other losses over the last five years too. Many Libyans, the majority of them young, have lost limbs in the violence. For Ashraf, the chances of working again, and supporting himself and his family, may have gone.
“My leg was amputated, I was treated in Tunisia” he explains. “I had five operations there, but I could not find replacement parts for my artificial leg.”
“So I used socks and other things,” he continues, “but in the end it became difficult for me, especially when the size of my leg started to change, so I stopped using the artificial leg.”
If it had not been for friends telling Ashraf about a physical rehabilitation centre at Misrata University, Ashraf’s situation would still be desperate. The centre is supported by the ICRC, and, as Mahmoud Hajajereh, a specialist in medical prosthetics explains, the aim is not just to help war wounded like Ahsraf, but to share skills.
“In this center, we treat patients, and we train Libyan staff,” says Mahmoud. “So we can provide the best service for the patients with special needs, some of whom are amputees, or have physical injuries.”
For Ashraf, the centre has offered new hope. After taking careful measurements, the staff have made him a new prosthesis which fits, and which is comfortable enough to wear every day.
“I told the doctor about my problem,” says Ashraf. “He took some measurements, and after a week I received the artificial leg. It’s much better, and I have returned more than once to the center, so the doctor can adjust my artificial leg, thank god.”
But Libya is a vast country, and after five years of instability and conflict, its needs are vast too. The ICRC and partner organisations are working hard across huge distances to meet those needs, but young people like Faraj Mahdi worry about the future.
“We could not pass our exams during the war” explains Faraj. “Then we tried to pass them in another district but the road was blocked. It is still blocked now, and also there is such a shortage of fuel. “
Faraj is at least getting food and other material support at the ICRC distribution centre. But his dream of finishing school may have to wait. Many more journeys, and many more deliveries across Libya may be needed.
Shotlist
Length:
Format: HD H264 mov
Sound: Arabic
ICRC ref: AV539N
Location: Sirte/Libya
Date: April & July 2016
Copyright: ICRC access all
Location: Misrata University Physical Rehabilitation Center, Misrata, Libya
Date: 14 April 2016 & 26 July 2016 (filming with the patient)
0:00 – 0:06 Driving shot Sirte, destroyed houses
0:06 – 0:12 Driving shot closer, Sirte, destroyed house
0:13 – 0:28 Interview (original Arabic) Ahmed Mahdi
‘What can I say about the situation? It is bad. There is no money, no medicine, no food, and roads are blocked, what can I say now? There is nothing good to say.’
0:29 – 0:36 Young boys helping unload boxes of aid from truck.
0:37 – 0:40 Wideshot crowds waiting for aid
0:41 – 0:43 Midshot crowds waiting
0:44 – 0:48 Libya Red Crescent stacking boxes
0:49 – 0:52 Packs of diapers being stacked
0:52 – 1:00 Midshot Ashraf on street with crutches tilt down to his leg
1:00 - 1:23 Interview (original Arabic) Ashraf
‘My leg was amputated, I was treated in Tunisia. I had five operations there, but I could not find replacement parts for my artificial leg. So I used socks and other things, but in the end it became difficult for me, especially when the size of my leg started to change, so I stopped using the artificial leg.
1:24 - 1:26 Ashraf at centre, midclose up his hands
1:26 – 1:30 Ashraf profile
1:31 – 1:34 Prosthesis being fitted
1:34 – 1:36 Prosthesis being fitted, man stands
1:36 - 1:50 Interview (original Arabic) Mahmoud Hajajereh, specialist medical prosthetics
‘In this center, we treat patients, and we train Libyan staff. So we can provide the best service for the patients with special needs, some of whom are amputees, or have physical injuries.’
1:51 – 1:54 Close up hands writing measurements
1:54 – 1:57 Midshot at centre making prosthetics
1:57 – 2:01 Close up tying shoe
2:01 – 2:15 Interview Ashraf (original Arabic)
‘I told the doctor about my problem. He took some measurements, and after a week I received the artificial leg. It’s much better, and I have returned more than once to the center, so the doctor can adjust my artificial leg, thank god.’
2:16 – 2:20 Aid trucks on road, followed by Red Crescent vehicle
2:20 – 2:24 Freight and fuel trucks in desert
2:24 – 2:30 Red Crescent convoy of vehicles
2:31 – 2:37 Crowds waiting, large truck arrives
2:38 – 2:51 Interview (original Arabic) Faraj Mahdi.
‘We could not pass our exams during the war. Then we tried to pass them in another district but the road was blocked. It is still blocked now, and also there is such a shortage of fuel.’
2:52 – 2:54 Red Crescent workers taking details at distribution centre
2:54 – 2:56 Reverse shot of above
2:57 - 3:00 Faraj giving his details at distribution centre
3:01 – 3:04 Red Crescent convoy traveling in desert.
3:05 – 3:08 Big trucks on road
3:09 – 3:14 Ashraf with staff member at prosthetics centre learning to walk
3:15 – 3:20 Mid close up Ashraf legs and feet, walking without crutches.