NZ to contribute $1m to Libya relief

A Libyan man walks past graffiti on a wall reading 'Yes for Free Libya' in Benghazi. Photo / AP

New Zealand will contribute $1 million to the international Red Cross fund to help those affected by the fighting in Libya, Foreign Minister Murray McCully announced today.

"The situation for civilians in Libya is rapidly deteriorating as intense fighting continues," Mr McCully said.

"Five weeks of conflict has forced more than 350,000 people to flee their homes, left an unconfirmed number of civilians dead, and made the affected areas in Libya very difficult for aid agencies to reach safely."

Mr McCully said Red Cross was working with the Red Crescent National Societies of Libya, Tunisia and Egypt, and that funding would help them respond to humanitarian needs, including medical care, water and sanitation, relief items and re-establishing family links.

New Zealand continued to support the international coalition effort, which demands an immediate and complete ceasefire in Libya.

- NZPA