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Libya Needs Food: The Challenges Of Humanitarian Aid
The Libyan crisis has thrown desperate refugees into a spiral of hunger. According to Al Jazeera, convoys from the World Food Program with flour and other foodstuffs have been turned back by supporters of Col. Moammar Gadhafi, leaving the lives in excess of one million civilian refugees in disarray. The United Nations and U.S. are currently creating methods for Libya food delivery and other means to alleviate struggling.
Refugees have no other choice but to 'invade Europe,’ says Gadhafi
Gadhafi has made it very clear in his comments and proclamations that he plans to fight until death, although several reports about the anti-Gadhafi repels vs. Gadhafi loyalists would suggest a compromise can be in the near future for Gadhafi. Gadhafi has warned that if he falls, a large number of Libyan refugees will “invade Europe,” reports Reuters. Reportedly, tens of thousands have already fled into Tunisia, although that country is also politically unstable.
As hospitals in rebel-held cities like Misrata are drastically short of supplies - and rebel areas in general face food shortages - Gadhafi's prediction that an enormous wave of refugees will throw themselves upon the mercy of any country that can offer humanitarian aid may prove to be an accurate one. Reuters spoke with military analyst Shanshank Joshi from Britain’s Royal United Services Institute who said that even though the fighting skills of rebels are “reasonable competent,” they will not likely win
"Government forces have more mobility than the rebels thanks to airlift and a decent amount of road transport,” said Joshi.
Refugees from Libya seek United Nations help
As more people are leaving their home, they need humanitarian aid on top of the over 1 million that have already left Libya, explained Valerie Amos who is a U.N. aid coordinator. Before the conflict began, Misrata had 300,000 individuals. The U.N. considers it a high priority now that it has been taken over by the rebels.
"Humanitarian organizations need urgent access now," said Amos. "People are injured and dying and need help immediately."
After announcing the institution of a potential no-fly zone over Libya, United States Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said that the United States has pledged $10 million to help Libyan refugees. Interested individual donors are being urged to contribute through the U.N. World Food Program.
Libya could stand to acquire some help with its economic climate
Christopher Albon wrote for the Atlantic that a lot of food in Libya is imported since sustaining agriculture is really hard. Considering that food prices have risen 50 to 75 % in war torn areas of Libya, the panic of food shortage has set in. Albon suggests that the U.S. has both the capacity and infrastructure to supply rebel-controlled eastern Libya with food deliveries, via the major seaport of Benghazi. Such a move would be a meaningful policy option for Obama and would avoid the burden of U.S. military engagement.
Information from
The Atlantic
theatlantic.com/international/archive/2011/03/how-food-could-determine-libyas-future/72097/
Army Times
armytimes.com/news/2011/02/ap-clinton-us-sending-aid-forces-near-libyan-borders-022811/
Reuters
reuters.com/article/2011/03/07/us-libya-protests-idUSTRE71G0A620110307?pageNumber=1
World Food Product
wfp.org/donate/fillthecup_getinvolved
The Telegraph
telegraph.co.uk/news/wikileaks-files/libya-wikileaks/8294883/HEAD-OF-LIBYAS-ECONOMIC-DEVELOPMENT-BOARD-U.S.-LIBYA-RELATIONS-NOT-JUST-ABOUT-OIL.html
U.S. Embassy in Tripoli, Libya (via Wikileaks) Al Jazeera reports: Using food as a weapon in Libya
youtube.com/watch?v=OfF7DmCGhmU
Gerald Celente - Cold Fusion is a Reality
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