Reply #20: Situation 'dire' in Libyan city: UN

[pinboy3niner]

Situation 'dire' in Libyan city: UN


By WBRi IBNS Newswire on 07 April 2011


New York, Apr 7 (IBNS): The top United Nations relief official on Wednesday voiced serious concern about the dire humanitarian situation inside the north-western Libyan city of Misrata, where thousands of residents are short of food, water, medicines and other basic supplies after weeks of intense fighting.

Valerie Amos, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, called on parties to the fighting in Libya to cease fire so that aid workers can rush supplies to those in need.

“We are very concerned about people trapped in Misrata, including migrant workers. Because of the heavy fighting, they are unable to leave the city for safer locations,” she said in a statement issued by her office.

“Now is a time when people’s ability to move is a life or death matter. We need a temporary cessation of hostilities in the area so that people can get themselves and their families out of harm’s way, if they choose to do so.”

UN aid agencies have supplies at the ready, Amos stressed, and can quickly distribute them to civilians in need.


http://www.washingtonbanglaradio.com/content/42323011-situation-dire-libyan-city-un