The number of displaced following the battle for the Libyan capital Tripoli has reached 42, 000 according to UNHCR in a statement released on Tuesday.
In Libya, thousands of women, children and men have been forced to flee to Tripoli’s suburbs to escape clashes that continue to engulf the southern part of the city.
Indiscriminate shelling and heavy gunfire are causing destruction and displacement with the number of people affected rising, according to UNHCR.
According to reports, 278 people have died, and another 1,332 are injured.
“It is imperative that every effort is taken to ensure that civilians are not being caught in the crossfire, and to spare civilian infrastructure” it said.
In the most conflicted-affected areas, there is an increasing sense of desperation. UNHCR staff in Libya say people are afraid to leave their homes.
“Water is in short supply, power is regularly cut off and there is scarce access to food, fuel and other key basic items” it added in its statement.
“In addition to our work in trying to protect refugees and migrants in Libya in the current difficult circumstances, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency has been moving life-saving aid and assistance to support Libyan civilians in the worst affected areas” it added.
It has provided urgently needed medicines and medical equipment to Libya’s Health ministry.
Three fully-equipped ambulances have been provided to Tripoli Central Hospital, Al Hadaba Alkhadra Hospital and the Tajoura National Heart Centre, all of which continue to provide medical treatment in extremely challenging conditions.
UNHCR and its partner Libaid and other local organisations, has also delivered blankets, sleeping mats, solar lamps, kitchen sets, buckets and other key relief items to some 6,200 displaced people sheltering in collective shelters and urban areas in Tripoli, Azzawya, Sabratha, Garabulli and Misrata.
However, the agency said the extremely volatile security situation means access for humanitarian organisations to some areas remains severely restricted.
The UNHCR is issuing an appeals for unimpeded and sustained humanitarian access to all affected areas and to agree to a temporary humanitarian truce to allow for the provision of emergency services and the safe and voluntary passage of civilians out of conflict-affected areas.
WN/as/APA