President Obama spoke to the nation about the military intervention in Libya. Obama said action had to be taken because of "brutal repression and a looming humanitarian crisis."
Yesterday Secretary Clinton stated, "The coalition military campaign has made it possible for more help to get through. For example, a convoy organized by the World Food Program was able to reach Benghazi this weekend with 18 tons of supplies, including food and blankets." Benghazi is a major city in eastern Libya.
According to Abeer Etefa, a spokesperson for the World Food Program (WFP), "enough to feed more than half a million people has either entered the country or been prepositioned to be tapped when needed." WFP is also providing food aid to those who have fled Libya into neighboring Tunisia or Egypt. A massive logistics operation is underway to keep the food pipeline moving in a conflict zone.
The food crisis in Libya is especially troubling. WFP Logistics Director Martin Ohlsen said, "The future of the public food distribution system in Libya is very worrying to us. To the best of our knowledge, the food that is in the country is currently being consumed without being adequately replenished."
Funding is also a major issue for humanitarian aid. WFP has launched a US$39.2 million emergency program to provide food to more than one million people in Libya, Egypt and Tunisia over a 3-month period. The World Food Program relies on voluntary donations from governments and the public. Right now, WFP is facing a massive funding shortfall for its global operations as donations have not kept up with the demand. There is food right now for Libya, but will there be any weeks or months down the road?
WFP has drawn on existing stocks for its Libya operation. Other WFP missions including Yemen, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Sudan and many others face funding shortages. With hunger comes chaos to countries already in turmoil.
Food has become a top foreign policy priority for the international community, and Libya is a case in point. As Secretary Clinton said, "a great deal more aid is needed and we have to work quickly and cooperatively to assess and respond."
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