Mitchell visits Libya camp and border areas

04 March 2011

Secretary of State for International Development Andrew Mitchell arrived at the Libyan Tunisian border today to see for himself the situation on the ground and understand what more Britain can do to help avoid a major humanitarian crisis.

‪Spending time in the transit camp just beyond the border area near Ras Ajdir, the Development Secretary met some of the 179,925 displaced migrant workers who have been leaving Libya since 20 February.‬

‪Speaking from the Libyan Tunisian border, Andrew Mitchell announced that the UK will send two air logistics officers to support the increasingly pressurised Djerba airport, now the hub for incoming humanitarian supplies and outgoing repatriation flights as individuals are evacuated from the border.
 
The air logistics experts will work directly for the UNHCR and the Tunisian authorities to ensure the smooth running of the airlift operation.

In addition, a second UK flight carrying tents and blankets will leave Dubai today for the camps. They will deliver 2,000 blankets and 1,100 tents to provide shelter for 5,500 people. This follows the first contingent of 36,000 blankets and tents to shelter 1,500 people on Tuesday.

‪Three UK charter planes continue to work on rotation to fly people away from the camps and back to Cairo, relieving the pressure on the border and the transit camp.

So far, 12 flights have left Djerba carrying 3,135 people to Cairo where they are being met by the Egyptian authorities.‬ ‪

Secretary of State for International Development Andrew Mitchell said;‬

‪"The sheer weight of people at the border trying to get home poses a real logistical challenge for the international community. It's imperative that we help relieve the pressure now to prevent a humanitarian crisis developing in the coming days. Britain will do everything possible to give those who are stranded shelter and get them back to their homes as quickly as possible.

"The extraordinary support and generosity from the Tunisian authorities and local people has significantly eased the position on the ground, but we need to prepare for further surges of people who may be on the other side of the border."