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Thousands of Libyan Residents are Short of Food and Basic Supplies

Thousands of Libyan residents are short of food, water, medicines and other basic supplies after weeks of intense fighting in Misrata, north-western Libyan city.

The top United Nations relief official today voiced serious concern about the dire humanitarian situation inside Misrata

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. 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."-Valerie Amos

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

Misrata, a city with an estimated population of 300,000 people, has been the scene of continuous fighting for more than a month between military forces allied to the regime of Muammar al-Qadhafi and opposition groups.

Source: United Nations