Finland grants additional humanitarian aid for refugees of the Libyan crisis
Owing to the crisis in Libya and the stream of refugees coming to Tunisia, Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Paavo Väyrynen has decided to grant 1,200,000 euros from the Foreign Ministry’s humanitarian aid funds for the relief work done by the Finnish Red Cross in Tunisia. The decision now made by the minister follows on the previous decision to grant 150,000 euros.
“It is of primary importance to alleviate the great distress of civilian victims and refugees as quickly as possible. The decision now taken is based on the appeal received today from the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM), requesting governments to provide assistance and organise transport for refugees crossing the border,” Minister Väyrynen states.
During the past two days, 25,000 people have fled from Libya to Tunisia, at a rate yesterday of 1,000 people an hour. Over 20,000 people are waiting across the border. Apart from the Tunisian and Egyptian goverments, the UN Refugee Agency, the International Organization for Migration and the Red Cross movement are striving to organise the reception of refugees and their transport away from the border. Conditions on both sides of the border are unbearable. Out of all the refugees, citizens of third countries are in the most difficult position.
With the support from the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, the Finnish Red Cross will supply protective sheltering material, tents and halls to be assembled, meeting the needs of over 4,000 refugees. The International Federation Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is planning emergency accomodation in Tunisia for at least 15,000 people.
Finland also supports Tunisian civil society through bilateral funding. In addition, other possible forms of support are under consideration.
Additional information: Päivi Nevala, Adviser to the Minister for Foreign Trade and Development, mobile tel. +358 40 753 4375, and Counsellor Timo Karmakallio, Unit for Humanitarian Assistance, mobile tel. + 358 40 727 5487