Norway provides NOK 50 million in emergency relief to Libya

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will provide NOK 50 million in emergency relief to Libya. “The acute humanitarian crisis in Libya and on the Tunisian-Libyan border is extremely serious. It is essential that the international community takes responsibility for helping those who are in need of assistance and protection,” said Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre.  

The UN High Commissioner for Refugees and the International Organization for Migration have made a joint appeal for contributions to deal with the dramatic situation on the border between Tunisia and Libya. At the same time, the International Committee of the Red Cross is calling for further support to alleviate the situation in Libya and in the border areas with Tunisia and Egypt. 

“Capacity on the border between Libya and Tunisia is on the verge of collapse. The vast majority of those crossing the border are migrant workers who need water, food and shelter, and who need help to return to their home countries. Immediate measures are essential in order to prevent a humanitarian crisis or destabilisation of the situation in Tunisia,” said Foreign Minister Støre.  

In addition to the well over 100 000 migrant workers and refugees who are now stranded on the Tunisian side of the border, more than 1.5 million migrant workers still remain inside Libya.