Libya: Radio Campaign Warns Of Dangers Of Unexploded Devices

23 November 2011

Tripoli/Geneva (ICRC) – The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)
and the Libyan Red Crescent launched yesterday a three-week radio campaign
to raise awareness of the risks of explosive remnants of war among the
population. The danger exists in different places in Libya, but the
campaign is primarily addressing people who are gradually returning to
their homes in Sirte and Bani Walid. The heavy fighting which took place
until last month left the two cities seriously contaminated by such devices.

"The threat to civilians in these urban areas, mainly from small unexploded
weapons such as grenades, rockets and mortar shells, is severe," said
Jennifer Reeves, an ICRC delegate. "In Sirte in the past week alone, two
children playing with one of these devices and a young man cleaning his
damaged house were badly injured. Many people are unaware of the dangers
posed by ordnance which may explode at the slightest touch." Dozens of
civilians have been killed or maimed in the country in similar
circumstances in the past month.

Five radio stations – Radio Bani Walid, Radio Libya and Sawt Trablus in
Tripoli, Radio Libya Al Hurra in Benghazi and in Misrata – will broadcast
the messages six times a day. The radio spots are part of a larger campaign
to educate people about the risks of unexploded devices. Billboards,
leaflets and posters are being displayed and distributed in contaminated
areas, where volunteers, many of them from the Libyan Red Crescent, are
spreading the word of warning.

For over a week, the ICRC has been physically removing explosive debris
from the streets and people's homes in Sirte and Bani Walid. It has
deployed an explosive ordnance disposal team, comprising two clearance
experts, a medical doctor and a field officer, in each city.

The clearance operations are coordinated closely with the local authorities
and supported by volunteers who collect reports from the population about
unexploded devices. "In Sirte and Bani Walid we have been overwhelmed with
reports from residents who are worried about the threat to themselves and
their families," said Ms Reeves.

"Risk education is crucial to help people stay safe until the threat posed
by explosive remnants of war is removed, which will take considerable time
and resources in the heavily contaminated areas," she added. "We will work
closely with other humanitarian organizations once they join the clearance
and awareness raising efforts in the two cities."

Since March, the ICRC has removed some 1,400 unexploded devices in places
badly affected by hostilities, such as Ajdabiya, Misrata and the Nefusa
mountains. It has also trained over 140 Libyan Red Crescent volunteers from
nine local branches to raise awareness of the threat among the local
population.