National Post

Canadian launches Libya mercy mission

- Diana Mehta

A Canadian man whose family is trapped in a militant- controlled area in the Libyan city of Benghazi has travelled to Turkey in effort to assemble an aid shipment for civilians in the conflictri­dden neighbourh­ood.

Ali Hamza, of Mississaug­a, Ont., says he’s made the journey with his wife and four children in a desperate attempt to help his 76- year- old mother and five siblings who are among families he says are going without sufficient f ood, water and medical supplies in the area of Ganfouda.

Libya has been beset by violence and chaos since the ouster and death of longtime strongman Moammar Gadhafi in a 2011 civil war. The Benghazi neighbourh­ood of Ganfouda in particular has been besieged for months by Libyan army t roops t hat answer to a powerful militar y commander.

Hamza has been calling on the Canadian government to speak out on what he calls a deteriorat­ing situation, asking Ottawa to make a strong call for basic necessitie­s to be allowed into Ganfouda and for the safe evacuation of besieged families through a neutral party, in accordance with internatio­nal law.

He also wants to see Canada express that it cares about the well- being and whereabout­s of civilians who were promised safe passage and left Ganfouda in January. He alleges some of those people were mistreated and detained.

Global Affairs Canada says “Canada supports free and unimpeded access for humanitari­an assistance and for civilians who wish to leave to do so in safety.”

Spokesman Austin Jean says Canada is “deeply concerned” with the ongoing armed conflict in Libya and its humanitari­an impact on civilians, including in the district of Ganfouda.

But Hamza says Canada can say and do more.

“I found nothing happening. I said I have to make a move,” said the 50- year- old. “I made this journey to Turkey to make myself available with my family to take an action that saves lives.”

Hamza said he’s heard of civilians in Ganfouda having to resort to eating leaves and drinking rainwater as supplies run out.

He’s borrowed money and put the family SUV up for sale in order to have enough funds to provide 30 families with food, water and basic medication for at least 10 days.

He’s already met with a Turkish NGO known as the IHH Humanitari­an Relief Foundation to discuss getting aid to Ganfouda and said they were tr ying to work with him.

Despite a UN- brokered peace deal reached a year ago, Libya remains divided between east and west, with no effective government and rival factions and militias — each side with backing from different foreign countries.

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