The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is responding to the crisis in Libya
by providing food aid within the conflict-torn country. WFP is also feeding thousands
who have fled into neighboring Tunisia and Egypt. Acording to a recent press release
"the agency has provided food for civilians in conflict areas, internally displaced
people, migrant workers, and vulnerable groups such as widows, orphans and the disabled. WFP
began moving food supplies into Libya by road and sea on 9 March, soon after the conflict
erupted. So far, distributions have been made to more than 270,000 people in eastern
Libya, 136,000 people in western Libya (mainly in the Nafusa Mountain area), and an
additional 125,000 people in the city of Misrata". Linda Bordoni spoke to Emilia
Casella, WFP spokesperson in Geneva, who explained that WFP is working on the ground
with partner agencies including the Tunisian Red Crescent in Tunisia, and with the
Libyan Red Crescent inside Libya, for food distributions in both the East and West
of the country This coordination has been essential for the distribution of WFP's
high energy food rations as well as food aid purchased from Tunisian communities. The
regional emergency operation for North Africa has been extended for three more months
until the end of August, at an overall cost of US$100 million. This is estimated
to reach 1.5 million people affected by the violence in Libya and neighbouring countries.
Casella also said that concerns are growing about access to food inside Libya,
especially in areas heavily affected by fighting, where the price of many food commodities
has more than doubled. She said that Libya is a food deficit country heavily reliant
on imports with a public food distribution system under stress as food stocks in the
country are being consumed without replenishment. In addition to providing food,
WFP is the lead agency for the provision of logistics and telecommunications services
to the entire humanitarian community. Listen to the full interview...