A tanker laden with 300 tonnes of potable water is expected to leave this morning for Tripoli, which is facing critical shortages.
The operation was coordinated by government officials in Benghazi and Malta in collaboration with Malta-based NGO Igo-Aid Foundation after the National Transitional Council (Libya’s provisional government) flagged the developing humanitarian crisis in the past days.
Water supply to the capital from the south, an area still largely in the hands of militia loyal to Col Gaddafi, has been shut off. However, it is not clear whether it has been shut down by Col Gaddafi’s people or by rebels fearing sabotage. In recent days, rumours had surfaced that the supply from the south had been poisoned.
On top of this, the council is trying to have a reserve of potable water in case the water system has been structurally compromised in a way that would take time to fix.
The water being sent to Tripoli was provided by the Water Services Corporation and is being pumped into a Cassar Shipyards tanker. It is expected to set sail as soon as it is full.
Yesterday, tests were carried out on the water to ensure its quality.
Water is not the only commodity in short supply. Long queues can be seen throughout the country outside gas depots, petrol stations and even banks.
But people in Tripoli are bearing the biggest brunt, with shortages of food and a hike in prices.
The streets are also littered with rubbish a week after rebels took over the capital last Sunday.
Maltese officials have established a rapport with the rebel council after months of covert assistance.
The government was wary about flagging this assistance to the rebels before the fall of Col Gaddafi, fearing retribution from the regime.
On Thursday, Malta sent more than €500,000 worth of aid to embattled Tripoli consisting of 400 tonnes of food and 250 tonnes of medicine. These were loaded onto the ship Al Ensitisar in an operation coordinated by the Igo-Aid foundation.
Meanwhile, a ship chartered by the Maltese government is expected in Malta early this morning after evacuating 55 stranded workers, including two Maltese, from Tripoli.
The ship, the MV Triva 1, was slowed down by rough seas after leaving Malta on Friday.
It was the ship’s second attempt to berth in Tripoli, after having been forced to abort its first attempt a week ago because of gunfire in the harbour. The ship then returned to Grand Harbour for a crew change and headed back to Tripoli.