Libya: UN distributes relief supplies to victims of deadly ethnic clashes
| Publisher | UN News Service |
| Publication Date | 24 February 2012 |
| Cite as | UN News Service, Libya: UN distributes relief supplies to victims of deadly ethnic clashes, 24 February 2012, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/4f4cb5af2.html [accessed 6 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
Georg Charpentier, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Libya, told the UN News Centre today that the world body has begun distributing water, food and non-food items to people caught up in the fighting.
The situation in Kufra is relatively calm today, he said, with a ceasefire between the Toubu and Zwai tribal groups apparently holding and a Libyan military contingent in place to deter further hostilities.
Long-simmering tensions between the two ethnic groups erupted on 12 February in Kufra, a key staging point for migrants making their way between sub-Saharan Africa and the north of the continent.
Media reports indicate at least 30 people have been killed in the clashes, with the possible death toll much higher.
Mr. Charpentier, who is also the Secretary-General's Deputy Special Representative for Libya and deputy chief of the UN political mission (UNSMIL), said an inter-agency mission reached Kufra yesterday to assess the situation and determine humanitarian needs.
Some of the injured from the fighting have been evacuated, and those that were stranded can now be reached by humanitarian workers.
Mr. Charpentier said Libya's interim authorities are leading efforts to mediate between the Toubu and the Zwai, and the UN was willing to offer support to those efforts if needed.
