LIBYA: UN Mission to Tripoli Finds Areas in Urgent Need of Humanitarian Aid
UN News Service reported on 25 July that United Nations humanitarian agencies said today that they have identified areas of the Libyan capital, Tripoli, where residents urgently need humanitarian assistance, including medical treatment for injuries caused by the ongoing conflict in the North African country. The mission, which was made up of representatives from OCHA, UNFPA, UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, WHO, as well as staff from the IOM, reported that water is still available, but people are experiencing significant power cuts. Libya has been engulfed by fighting since a pro-democracy movement opposed to the regime of Muammar al-Qadhafi emerged in February following similar protests in Tunisia, Egypt and other countries across North Africa and the Middle East. Read: UN News Service
CANADA/LIBYA: Canada Pledges Extra $2 Million In Libyan Aid
Xinhua, BBC and CBC reported on 14 June that Canada is giving $1.75 million to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), together with the Red Crescent Societies of Libya, Tunisia and Egypt, and $250,000 to UNFPA to protect women and girls from gender-based violence—including sexual assault—and provide critical care to survivors in Libya. The ICRC will provide emergency assistance for up to 780,000 affected people in Libya as well as for those who have fled into neighbouring Tunisia and Egypt, Oda's statement said. This assistance will include food, water, sanitation and primary health care. UNFPA, through targeted protection intervention and assistance programmes, will help up to 50,000 women and girls in Libya who have experienced or are at risk of experiencing gender-based violence, the statement said. The announcement brings Canada’s total humanitarian assistance in response to the crisis in Libya to $10.6 million. Read: Xinhua, BBC and CBC
EGYPT-LIBYA: Stranded At The Border – And Frustrated
IRIN reported on 7 April on the situation of refugees at the Libya/Egypt border, noting that UNICEF is working to improve water and sanitation as well as running a child vaccination campaign at the border. “We have a team here focusing on water, hygiene and sanitation,” spokesperson Toby Wicks said. “We are trying to make the day seem a little bit shorter for the people who are here.” Psychosocial support is also being offered to families, many of whom are Somali and Eritrean and who had refugee status in Libya. Agencies are also running educational and development sessions for children. “The objective of the activity is to let the children express their feelings, and also have some fun and learning time… in this difficult situation.” Health and hygiene kits are being distributed by UNICEF and International Medical Corps. With very few latrines at the site, UNFPA has also sent 2,000 “dignity bags” for males and females. Read: IRIN
LIBYA: UNFPA Offers Aid to Those Stranded On Egyptian-Libyan Borders
Kuwait News Agency reported on 2 April that UNFPA has offered three tons of humanitarian aid to the Egyptian Red Crescent for distribution to families and individuals caught fleeing from Libya in the Salloum area on the Egyptian-Libyan border.
LIBYA: UN Refugee Agency ‘Very Concerned’ Civilians Being Prevented From Fleeing
UN News Centre reported on 4 March that the United Nations Refugee Agency voiced deep concern that the security situation in Libya may be preventing thousands of people, mainly migrant workers, from fleeing to Tunisia, noting that the border on the Libyan side is now manned by heavily armed pro-Qadhafi forces. For its part, the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) is planning to distribute medical and reproductive health kits for refugees along the Tunisian border, including clinical delivery kits for health facilities and maternity wards and blood transfusion and emergency obstetric care kits for hospitals. UNFPA will also provide additional items, such as dignity kits, which include items such as soap, sanitary pads, essential clothing and detergents, to women and girls. Read: UN News Centre