Food shortages threaten western Libya

Although most of the attention during the battle for Libya has been focused on the eastern part of the country and its capital, Tripoli, government forces and fiercely independent Berber rebels have also been fighting along its western border.

Late last month, the rebels managed to overrun forces loyal to Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in the mountainous region that borders Tunisia, gaining access to a strategic supply route.

The fighting has continued, however, and caught in the middle are the mountain villagers, who, according to several international agencies, are increasingly being cut off by the fighting and are facing potential shortages of food, water and other essentials.

The World Food Programme has warned that the need for food in the region could be “immense.”

“I am increasingly concerned about the humanitarian situation and access to food for people trapped by the violence in this area,” said Josette Sheeran, executive director of the World Food Programme. “I am appealing to all parties for safe access and for an immediate ceasefire, so that we are able to assess the humanitarian situation and deliver food assistance.”

The organization has attempted to transport food through the main supply route near the Tunisian border town of Dehiba with some success. But, Sheeran said, the agency has not yet been able to reach some of the areas most affected by the fighting, including the towns of Yefrin and Zintan.

“The supply route is now facing serious challenges due to insecurity in many of the areas in, addition to severe fuel shortages,” Sheeran said in a statement released to the press.