The United Nations has appealed for an additional $233 million in humanitarian funds for Libya where it says 2.1 million people are in need of assistance. "The conflict, the breakdown of state infrastructure, and shortages of cash and fuel are causing serious problems for the population of Libya," U.N. Emergency Relief Coordinator Valerie Amos said Wednesday in Geneva. "In Misrata, which remains at the forefront of our concern, some people are running short of food, water and other basics. Widespread shortages are paralyzing the country in ways which will gravely impact the general population in the weeks and months ahead; particularly the poorest and the most vulnerable," she added. The U.N. originally appealed for $160 million back in March predicting that 400,000 people would flee Libya and another 600,000 would need help within the country's borders. Libya has a population of about six million people. In the appeal, Amos says that "the crisis is also taking a toll on nearby countries. Niger and Chad, two of the world's poorest countries, face the burden of reintegrating thousands of former expatriates, whose remittances from Libya had been essential to the survival of their communities at home." She also reiterated her appeal for "a pause to hostilities in Misrata, to allow further delivery of essential medical supplies and other relief items, as well as the evacuation of third country nationals, the wounded and others who require emergency medical assistance." The U.N. says 803,000 people have now left Libya and 1.6 million people require assistance within the country.
