Egypt Prepares Aircraft Carrier to Serve as Field Hospital in Libya

Food aid that was dispatched to help those affected by Storm Daniel in Libya. (AFP)
Food aid that was dispatched to help those affected by Storm Daniel in Libya. (AFP)
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Egypt Prepares Aircraft Carrier to Serve as Field Hospital in Libya

Food aid that was dispatched to help those affected by Storm Daniel in Libya. (AFP)
Food aid that was dispatched to help those affected by Storm Daniel in Libya. (AFP)

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi ordered on Wednesday the preparation of a Mistral aircraft carrier to serve as a field hospital for the victims of Storm Daniel that struck Libya.

The president instructed the establishment of shelter camps in the Western Military Region for Libyans who lost their homes, according to the Egyptian presidency post on X.

State television quoted presidential spokesman Ahmed Fahmy as saying that Sisi directed the forces and members heading to Libya to make every effort to mitigate the effects of the humanitarian disaster.

Furthermore, the European Union has released an initial €500,000 ($536,545) in humanitarian funding to tackle the most urgent needs of people in Libya affected by the impact of Storm Daniel.

Immediately, EU Member States – so far Germany, Romania, and Finland - have offered substantial assistance in the form of shelter items such as tents, field beds and blankets, 80 generators, food items, as well as hospital tents and water tanks.

Funding will be channeled through partners operating on the ground to deliver lifesaving health and water and sanitation supplies for the flood response in Libya.

The Permanent Mission of the State of Libya to the UN office in Geneva requested on Tuesday assistance from the EU following the floods that killed more than 5,000.

In the same context, the first two planes of the Qatari air bridge arrived at Benina International Airport in Benghazi. The two planes are carrying 67 tons of relief aid as an emergency response to the humanitarian situation in areas affected by floods and torrents.

The aid included medical and food supplies, in addition to a field hospital.

Algeria also dispatched humanitarian aid to Libya including medical supplies, tents and food. The Algerian team included divers and rescue operators.

Furthermore, Jordan dispatched a humanitarian aid plane to Libya.

Hussein Al-Shibli, Secretary-General of Jordan Hashemite Charity Organization, stated that this was done in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates and the Jordanian Armed Forces.

The Organization added that the first plane carries emergency relief materials consisting of tents, blankets, mattresses, and food parcels.

For his part, Sultan of Oman Haitham bin Tariq issued directives to send urgent humanitarian aid to Libya.



UN Suspends All Trips into Houthi-Held Areas after More Staffers Detained

27 December 2024, Yemen, Sanaa: A Houthi supporter brandishes a rifle during a demonstration against the United States and Israel following Israeli air strikes on significant facilities in the Yemeni cities of Sanaa and Hodeidah, which are under Houthi control. (dpa)
27 December 2024, Yemen, Sanaa: A Houthi supporter brandishes a rifle during a demonstration against the United States and Israel following Israeli air strikes on significant facilities in the Yemeni cities of Sanaa and Hodeidah, which are under Houthi control. (dpa)
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UN Suspends All Trips into Houthi-Held Areas after More Staffers Detained

27 December 2024, Yemen, Sanaa: A Houthi supporter brandishes a rifle during a demonstration against the United States and Israel following Israeli air strikes on significant facilities in the Yemeni cities of Sanaa and Hodeidah, which are under Houthi control. (dpa)
27 December 2024, Yemen, Sanaa: A Houthi supporter brandishes a rifle during a demonstration against the United States and Israel following Israeli air strikes on significant facilities in the Yemeni cities of Sanaa and Hodeidah, which are under Houthi control. (dpa)

The United Nations on Friday suspended all travel into areas held by Yemen’s Houthi militias after more of their staff were detained by the militants.

The Houthis have already detained UN staffers, as well as individuals associated with the once-open US Embassy in Sanaa, Yemen’s capital, and aid groups.

“Yesterday, the de facto authorities in Sanaa detained additional UN personnel working in areas under their control,” the UN statement read. “To ensure the security and safety of all its staff, the United Nations has suspended all official movements into and within areas under the de facto authorities’ control.”

Before Friday, the UN had a total of 16 Yemeni staff in Houthi detention. Staffers were trying to get a headcount across the UN agencies working in the country and had halted their work, which provides food, medicine and other aid to the impoverished nation.

In June, the UN acknowledged 11 Yemeni employees were detained by the Houthis under unclear circumstances as the militias increasingly cracked down on areas under their control. Several dozen others from aid agencies and other organizations are also held.