Donors pledge $65m for Libyan humanitarian crisis

Donors have so far announced some US$65 million of humanitarian contributions in response to the Libyan crisis and pledged another $10 million, but humanitarian operations there will need much more than that, say aid agencies.



A preliminary UN-coordinated “flash appeal” for $160 million for 17 organizations has been published. As of 7 March, the five largest donors to the regional crisis response  are the US, the European Commission, Norway, Australia and Canada.



Priority areas include assistance in evacuation, food, decongestion of transit areas, assistance packages to people in transit (non-food items, food, water/sanitation and health services); and protection and monitoring at the borders.



Major sectors or clusters highlighted for aid:

- Multi-sector (including camp management and transport) - $81 million;

- Food security - $48 million;

- Health - $11 million, and

- Water, sanitation and hygiene - $6 million.



More than 200,000 people have fled Libya, according to the International Organization for Migration. Given uncertainty around conditions and needs inside Libya, and a volatile situation, the appeal is to be revised in two weeks.



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