Tunis — "The U.S. Government has mobilised 47 million dollars in humanitarian aid to assist refugees on the Tunisian-Libyan borders," said Assistant Secretary of State for Population, Refugees and Migration Eric Schwartz, who is on a visit to Tunisia, accompanied by Mrs. Nancy Lindborg, USAID Assistant Administrator for Democracy, Conflict and Humanitarian Assistance.

Speaking at a news conference on Thursday afternoon, Mr. Schawrtz said he was carrying a message of solidarity from President Barack Obama and U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to the Tunisian people, in which they reassert the US Government's support to the Tunisian people.

"We are here to support the Humanitarian effort made on the Tunisian-Libyan borders," he underlined.

In this respect, he reminded of the US contribution to the repatriation of several hundreds of refugees notably among Egyptians, specifying that this operation was conducted in a relatively short time, "which is pretty costly", he said.

"We should always be mobilised to meet the needs of a more difficult situation," he went on saying.

Mr. Schawrtz called on the other governments to provide assistance and protection for refugees who are still stranded on the Tunisian-Libyan borders.

For Mrs. Lindborg, "there is an emergency to meet immediate needs like food supplies, health and medical needs", and find a solution to persons having lost their jobs in Libya.

"The American officials are discussing with several friends and allies for other alternatives to provide additional assistance," she specified.

Mrs. Lindorg concluded : "I have been particularly impressed by the amazing spirit of generosity and solidarity among Tunisian people to the refugees at the Tunisian frontier."

Source: TAP