NEW YORK/ BENGAZI, Libya 27 August - UNICEF has delivered 23,000 bottles of water for emergency use in Tripoli as the situation is expected to worsen in the Libyan capital. An additional 90,000 bottles of water are due to arrive on Monday 29th August.
Currently, a total of around 5 million litres of water is being procured by UNICEF from neighbouring countries to be trucked and shipped to Tripoli in the coming days.
“UNICEF is responding to the immediate needs in Tripoli, but we remain extremely concerned about the situation should there be a shortage of water in the coming days. This could turn into an unprecedented health epidemic, “ said Christian Balslev-Olesen, UNICEF Libya Head of Office.
A UNICEF technical team is now working with the Libyan authorities to facilitate an assessment of water wells, review urgent response options and identify alternatives for water sources.
"The current situation is the absolute worst-case scenario, and a swift resumption of water supplies is critical," added Mr. Bolaslev-Olesen.
Since the beginning of the conflict, power cuts and fuel shortages has put the Great Manmade River Authority, the primary distributor of potable water in Libya, at risk of failing to meet the country’s water needs.
About UNICEF
UNICEF is on the ground in over 150 countries and territories to help children survive and thrive, from early childhood through adolescence. The world’s largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments. For more information about UNICEF and its work visit: www.unicef.org
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For more information, please contact:
Roshan Khadivi, UNICEF Libya,
Tel +8821621110506;
rkhadivi@unicef.org
Patrick McCormick, UNICEF New York,
Tel + 1 212 326 7426,
pmccormick@unicef.org
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