Gaddafi 'Seen in Zimbabwe on Mugabe's Private Jet'

Surgical teams and medicines will be laid on to help up to 5,000 wounded, as well as food and household essentials for almost 690,000. Red Cross spokesman Steven Anderson said: 'Medical supplies are one of the main problems that will help people on the ground out there.

'Many drugs are lacking and the import has been slowed down. Even drugs for cancer, diabetes, kidney failure are running out and that is a real issue.'

The support comes amid reports of harrowing conditions in one Tripoli hospital - the abandoned Abu Salim hospital - where dozens of decomposing bodies were piled up.

It will also include helping families reunite after being broken up by the conflict. Britain will provide urgent humanitarian support including medical help, food and other basic supplies for thousands of people affected by the conflict in Libya, International Development Secretary Andrew Mitchell announced today.

Mr Mitchell said humanitarian agencies were doing 'extraordinary' work while putting their own lives on the line in Libya.

'As the conflict moves into its final stages there are many Libyans in need of urgent humanitarian help,' he said.

'The situation on the ground in Tripoli is an incredibly difficult one for humanitarian agencies.

'But organisations such as the ICRC are doing extraordinary work in dangerous and difficult circumstances to get supplies and doctors through to those in need.

'This new funding from our development budget will help them to continue their vital work in critical areas across Libya.

'Today we pay a huge tribute to the humanitarian agencies who are risking their lives in Libya to help and sustain their fellow human beings.'