Brussels, 24/08/2011 (Agence Europe) - As the rebels of the National Transition Council have fought their way into Gaddafi's compound in Tripoli, the European Commission has confirmed its readiness to respond rapidly to the humanitarian needs stemming from the fighting which appears to be nearing the end and in its aftermath.
“The Commission has been planning for this event for months now. We have prepositioned humanitarian stocks in the accessible zones of Libya and have coordinated all efforts with our humanitarian partners. We are ready. Europe will continue to help in an efficient and non-discriminatory way all Libyans who need humanitarian assistance”, said International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response Commissioner Kristalina Georgieva, in a press release on Wednesday 24 August.
Of the €80 million allocated by the Commission to respond to humanitarian needs after the conflict, funding of €10 million has been reserved to provide assistance once Tripoli and the coastal cities are opened up for delivery of relief.
Humanitarian stocks, prepositioned by partners of ECHO, the Commission's humanitarian aid wing, in the east of the country and areas held by the opposition, will provide war surgery and assistance to hospitals which are dealing with a probable large number of war-wounded and with the immediate emergency needs of the general population.
Other priorities include providing schooling for the children, education on demining and identification of risk areas so that civilians can safely return.
The Commission will also continue to fund the provision of relief to all vulnerable Libyans and to the refugees who have been trapped in the country by the violence of the last months. In all over €150 million have been provided by the EU (Commission and member states) in response to the humanitarian crisis in Libya. (A.N./transl.rt)