Reply #75: WFP Ship Delivers Vital Aid At Frontline Of Libya Conflict [View All]

[tabatha]

A WFP ship carrying life-saving food, medical supplies, and other relief items has docked at the Libyan port of Misrata, opening up a new humanitarian lifeline to civilians trapped in the Libyan conflict. “This is a breakthrough for the UN humanitarian operation in Libya,” said WFP Executive Director, Josette Sheeran.

ROME -- A WFP humanitarian vessel carrying life-saving food, medical supplies, doctors and other relief items has finally been able to reach Misrata port, opening up a new humanitarian lifeline to civilians trapped in the Libyan conflict.

“This is a breakthrough for the UN humanitarian operation in Libya and allows us to reach tens of thousands of people who are caught in one of the fiercest areas of conflict,” said WFP Executive Director, Josette Sheeran. “It is vital that we get these relief supplies to the vulnerable – especially women and children – and we are working with local partners, including the Libyan Red Crescent, to ensure their needs are met.”

The WFP-chartered vessel, Marianne Danica, docked in Misrata this afternoon carrying more than 600 metric tons of WFP food including wheat flour, vegetable oil and High Energy Biscuits – enough to feed more than 40,000 people for a month. The ship is also delivering medical supplies on behalf of UNICEF and the World Health Organization (WHO). The UNICEF and WHO emergency health kits and surgical material will cover the urgent needs for 50,000 people for a month. Other materials will enable thousands of children to play in the relative safety of indoors. Two doctors are on board and will disembark at Misrata.

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