United Nations humanitarian chief calls for temporary cessation of hostilities in Misrata, Libya

(New York, 6 April 2011): United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Valerie Amos expressed serious concern about the dire humanitarian situation in Misrata, Libya.

Misrata, a city of 300,000 people, has been the scene of continuous fighting for more than 40 days with hundreds of people dead and wounded. Thousands of people are stranded in Misrata, including third country nationals, refugees and of Libyans, who want to leave the city but are unable to do so as long the hostilities continue. They are short of food, water, medicines, electricity and other basic supplies.

"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. 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," Ms. Amos said.

"The situation on the ground is critical for a large number of people who immediately need food, clean water and emergency medical assistance," she added. "The United Nations has supplies at the ready - a temporary cessation of hostilities would allow us to get those supplies to people who desperately need them," she said.