By Dr. Solomon Kuah, Libya Emergency Response Team,
International Medical Corps April 11, 2011 - For countless
generations the Bedouin, desert nomads in Libya, have lived as
one large family, collective with their harsh environment. Now
as the conflict in Libya rages, with government and rebel forces
attacking one another with their machines of war, these people
are forced to flee their homes. Their city of Ajdabiya is under
siege and they seek safety in the desert, finding protection
among their larger Bedouin family. The desert, or "sahara" as
they call it, is expansive and brutal with its sandstorms and
frigid nights – but fear of Qaddafi brings them here. Our team
is tasked with delivering medical care and basic supplies to
nearly 50,000 people who are in great need but also fear being
found because of the violence. We operate as a mobile light
team, one day delivering care, the next conducting site surveys
but always ready to move quickly if the fight comes closer. It’s
a funny satisfaction that the same