TRIPOLI, 5 September 2011 - A World Food Programme (WFP) humanitarian vessel carrying 500,000 litres of bottled water on behalf of UNICEF has arrived this week to Tripoli to respond to urgent needs as the situation has the potential to worsen in the Libyan capital.
UNICEF is in the process of procuring over 11 million litres of water for the emergency use in Tripoli and surrounding areas.
“UNICEF continues to respond to the immediate water needs of children and vulnerable communities in Tripoli" says Christian Balslev-Olesen, UNICEF Libya Head of Office, "This critical operation has been possible because of close cooperation between UNICEF and WFP".
As the lead logistics agency in the UN humanitarian system, WFP is providing support in the transport of bottled water for UNICEF to Tripoli.
“At this time, Hundreds of thousands of people in Tripoli do not have access to one of the most basic needs for survival - water; We must all do what we can to address this urgent need,” said Zlatan Milisic, WFP’s Representative and Country Director in Libya. “WFP Logistics will continue to support lifesaving operations of all humanitarian actors in Libya.”
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:
Abeer Etefa, WFP Libya
Tel +20166634352
abeer.etefa@wfp.org
Roshan Khadivi, UNICEF Libya,
Tel +218 923283438
rkhadivi@unicef.org
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