Emergency Relief Coordinator assesses relief effort at Tunisia-Libya border

(Tunis/New York, 6 March 2011): United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Valerie Amos travelled yesterday to the Tunisia-Libya border to review the ongoing relief effort for people fleeing Libya and to look at what humanitarian agencies can do further to support those who are stranded in the border areas.

"The efforts of responders to scale up assistance have so far averted a humanitarian crisis in those areas that are accessible," said Ms. Amos, "But I remain very concerned about what is actually happening in western Libya. We urgently need access. People crossing the border here have reported that they have faced intimidation as they have tried to leave Libya. Freedom of movement is a fundamental human right that must be respected under all circumstances. Much remains to be done in the days and weeks ahead especially if the situation deteriorates in the west of the country."

A total of 104,275 people had crossed into Tunisia, as of the end of the day on 3 March. Since Libyan authorities took control of the border crossing into Tunisia, the number of people crossing has dropped to several hundred per day, compared to about 20,000 at its peak several days ago. Significant progress has been made in evacuating people. The priority now is the large number of Bangladeshis still remaining.

Ms. Amos noted the extraordinary work of the Government of Tunisia in meeting the challenge of responding to the sudden arrival of large numbers of people. She also commended the Tunisian people, and Tunisian civil society, including the Tunisian Red Crescent Society, who have played an invaluable role in facilitating the response and providing food, water and medical care for these people.

The international community must remain focused, vigilant and prepared to respond to further humanitarian needs that may arise as a result of the ongoing violence and threats to human security in Libya. On Monday in Geneva Ms. Amos will launch the regional flash appeal covering Libya, Tunisia, Egypt and Niger. It will focus on the border areas, population movements, humanitarian needs, security, health, water, protection and communication, and will cover a three-month period.

For further information, please call:

OCHA NY: Amanda Pitt, +1917 442 1810, pitta@un.org;

Stephanie Bunker, +1 917 367 5126, mobile +1 347 244 2106, bunker@un.org;

Nicholas Reader, +1 212 963 4961, mobile +1 646 752 3117, reader@un.org

OCHA-Geneva: Elisabeth Byrs, +41 22 917 2653, mobile, +41 79 473 4570, byrs@un.org.

OCHA press releases are available at http://ochaonline.un.org or www.reliefweb.int.