Libya: aid for migrants in the south

Libya: aid for migrants in the south

Geneva/Tripoli, 3 July 2012 – Over the past few days, with support from the Libyan Red Crescent, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has delivered food packages and other essential items to about 1,100 migrants currently held in centres in Al Qatroun and Murzuq, close to the border with Niger in the south-west of the country. The number of people in the centres fluctuates day by day.

"These people arrived recently from neighbouring countries," said Kemal Kimyongur, the ICRC delegate in charge of the distributions. "They are accommodated in very poor conditions and don't have enough food." While the local communities and the Libyan Humanitarian Relief Agency (LibAid) had provided some assistance, the migrants were facing growing needs.

"Because we live in a border town, we are constantly under pressure," said Mohamed Ahmed Saleh, the head of the local council in Al Qatroun. "Over the past few months we have noticed an increase in the number of migrants crossing into Libya. We are concerned about their living conditions. Besides food and hygiene items, they also need access to primary health care and drinking water. Unfortunately, we don't have the means to cope with this situation, which is why we asked for support."

The ICRC and the Libyan Red Crescent distributed salt, sugar, rice, pasta, tomato paste, oil and other food items, and household essentials such as buckets, jerrycans, mattresses, tarpaulins and kitchen sets. Further quantities were stored on the premises of Sabha's Libyan Red Crescent branch for any additional distribution that may be necessary in the area.

For further information please visit our website: www.icrc.org

ENDS

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