New York, Mar 9 2011 4:10PM
The United Nations refugee chief today <"http://www.unhcr.org/4d77bce89.html">called on the international community to forge ahead with humanitarian efforts as fighting in Libya escalates and people continue to flee the North African nation by the thousands.
According to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the number of people who have fled the violence since the start of mass protests against leader Muammar Al-Qadhafi three weeks ago has passed 212,000, including 112,000 who have reached Tunisia, with more than half of them Tunisian and Egyptian migrants.
In addition, there are 98,000 people in Egypt, over two thirds of them Egyptian; 2,000 in Niger, mainly nationals from that country; and over 4,000 in Algeria, including evacuations from Tunisia and Egypt.
Mr. Guterres, who wrapped up a two-day visit to Tunisia today along with International Organization for Migration (IOM) Director General William Swing, stressed how important it is to have an open border in the midst of a refugee crisis.
"At a moment of tragedy, the Tunisian Government and its people are setting an example of humanitarian generosity by opening their borders and their homes," he said.
A joint humanitarian evacuation initiative by UNHCR and IOM last week had relieved the overcrowding at the border with the immediate airlift response of governments. Tens of thousands of Egyptians were flown home within days.
Mr. Guterres and Mr. Swing warned that as the fighting escalates inside Libya, the situation could quickly become acute again at the border. At the height of the influx, some 14,000 people – mostly migrant workers – crossed on a single day.
The two agencies, together with the wider humanitarian community, are strengthening contingencies to prepare for an eventual massive inflow of people across the border.
UNHCR is particularly worried about the people crossing – in increasing numbers – who stem from war-torn countries such as Somalia and who cannot be repatriated. The High Commissioner is appealing to developed countries to work closely with UNHCR in finding joint solutions for their future.
Earlier this week, the UN and its humanitarian partners launched a $160 million appeal to meet needs arising from the crisis in Libya, where fighting continues between supporters and opponents of Mr. Al-Qadhafi.
Mar 9 2011 4:10PM
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