Brussels, 05/01/2015 (Agence Europe) - €2 million in emergency aid was earmarked by the European Commission on 22 December last to provide assistance and protection to the displaced victims of the worsening conflict in Libya.
These funds will help finance the provision of food, shelter, medical aid and psycho-social support to distressed families who have had to flee the fighting and who are particularly vulnerable with the approaching winter.
“It is clear that there are huge needs and the emergency aid we are providing can be a lifeline to some of the most vulnerable families caught up in the conflict” said the EU Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management Christos Stylianides. He added that, “The fighting has had a severe impact on the lives of civilians, with houses and infrastructure destroyed, basic services severely disrupted and shortages of medical supplies. People forced to leave areas of conflict are finding it hard to access food and basic needs - which is why the aid we are providing now is so crucial”.
It is estimated that nearly 400,000 people have been displaced due to fighting in Libya since May 2014. The worsening security situation has hampered humanitarian access and has led to most international aid workers leaving the country. (AN)