The Libyan turmoil has thrown desperate refugees into a spiral of hunger. Ships from the United Nations’ World Food Program have been turned away from loyalist ports, as Col. Moammar Gadhafi is using food shortages as a weapon against famished rebels. The United States and U.N. are undergoing Libyan humanitarian aid efforts at this time. Article source – Libya needs food: The struggles of humanitarian aid by MoneyBlogNewz.
Refugees have no other option but to ‘invade Europe,' claims Gadhafi
Gadhafi has made it very clear in his comments and proclamations that he plans to fight until death, although several states about the anti-Gadhafi repels vs. Gadhafi loyalists would suggest a compromise can be in the near future for Gadhafi. Reuters states that Gadhafi claims thousands of Libyan refugees will "invade Europe" if he occurs to fall. Reportedly, tens of thousands have already fled into Tunisia, although that country is also politically unstable.
Gadhafi may be right that the refugees will go anywhere humanitarian aid might be available considering hospitals in cities like Misrata are running low on supplies while the rebels are running out of food. Military analyst Shanshank Joshi of Britain’s Royal United Services Institute told Reuters that the rebels don’t have the upper hand, even though their fighting skills are "reasonably competent."
“Government forces have more mobility than the rebels thanks to airlift and a decent amount of road transport," said Joshi.
Refugees from Libya seek United Nations help
Valerie Amos is a U.N. aid coordinator. She explained that there are already over 1 million Libyans in need of humanitarian aid while more are being taken out of their homes and need it every day. Rebel towns like Misrata, which was recently home to 300,000 people, are considered high-priority areas by the U.N.
“Humanitarian organizations need urgent access now,” said Amos. “People are injured and dying and need help immediately.”
A no-fly zone was set over Libya by U.S. Secretary of State Clinton. She also said that Libyan refugees can count on $10 million in U.S. aid. Interested individual donors are being urged to contribute through the U.N. World Food Program.
Economic climate in Libya needs help
Christopher Albon wrote for the Atlantic that lots of food in Libya is imported since sustaining agriculture is really hard. Considering that food prices have risen 50 to 75 % in war torn areas of Libya, the panic of food shortage has set in. The seaport of Benghazi is where the United States could supply food to the rebel side of Libya in accordance with Albon. Such a move would be a meaningful policy choice for Obama and would keep away from the burden of U.S. military engagement.
Information from
The Atlantic
theatlantic.com/international/archive/2011/03/how-food-could-determine-libyas-future/72097/
Army Times
armytimes.com/news/2011/02/ap-clinton-us-sending-aid-forces-near-libyan-borders-022811/
Reuters
reuters.com/article/2011/03/07/us-libya-protests-idUSTRE71G0A620110307?pageNumber=1
World Food Product
wfp.org/donate/fillthecup_getinvolved
The Telegraph
telegraph.co.uk/news/wikileaks-files/libya-wikileaks/8294883/HEAD-OF-LIBYAS-ECONOMIC-DEVELOPMENT-BOARD-U.S.-LIBYA-RELATIONS-NOT-JUST-ABOUT-OIL.html
U.S. Embassy in Tripoli, Libya (via Wikileaks) Al Jazeera reports: Using food as a weapon in Libya
youtube.com/watch?v=OfF7DmCGhmU
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