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UNICEF Situation Report # 13- Sub-regional Libya crisis

Attachments

Reporting period (14 – 20 April 2011)

Highlights:

The situation in Libya has further deteriorated over the reporting period. Fierce fighting continues in the eastern city of Ajdabyia where more civilians are fleeing the already largely deserted city. Human Rights Watch reports the use of cluster munitions by forces loyal to Gadaffi in Misrata.

The United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Valerie Amos reached an agreement to establish UN humanitarian presence in Tripoli with the Government of Libya on 17 April. She further called for the establishment of a full- fledged cease fire.

On 20 April a statement by UNICEF Executive Director Anthony Lake on the situation of children in the Middle East and North Africa, said that the ongoing conflict in Libya has claimed children’s lives and deprived many more of their basic needs. It further reiterated that in Misrata alone, at least 20 children have been killed and countless others injured. Reports of the use of cluster munitions are particularly alarming it said.

An increasing number of humanitarian actors have established presence in Benghazi. UNICEF has established initial presence though the deployment of three international staff in Benghazi. As soon as the situation permits, the fully functional UNICEF Libya team currently operating from Cairo, will be deployed in Benghazi and later on in Tripoli, and will constitute the program management and operational hub for program outreach within Libya.

A ship carrying UNICEF life-saving supplies for an estimated 15,000 to 25,000 persons reached the port of Misrata in western Libya on 20 April. The relief items include first aid kits, drinking water, water purification tablets, hygiene kits and recreational toys for children. UNICEF is further sending another 4,000 hygiene kits for the benefit of 8,000 adults to Misrata through a WFF chartered vessel.

According to IOM/OCHA figures, a total of 550,680 people have fled Libya since the beginning of the crisis as of 19 April. 219,880 have fled to Egypt, 257,448 to Tunisia, 47,479 to Niger, 14,126 to Algeria, 6,219 to Chad, 1,622 to Italy via boat, 1,106 to Malta via boat, and 2,800 to Sudan. A total of 141,835 Libyans have fled the war-torn country thus far.

The US$ 310 million Flash Appeal for the Libyan Crisis is currently funded at 41 per cent. UNICEF, to date, has received 35 per cent against its US$ 13 million part of the Flash Appeal (excluding pledges).