Libya Sends Food Aid to Tunisia to Meet Shortage of Goods in Markets

Sources at the Libyan embassy in Tunisia announced that 170 trucks loaded with food aid have been directed to Tunisia, which is facing a major shortage of several basic consumables.

A source from the Tunisian Customs Authority at the Ras Jedir border crossing told the German News Agency (DPA) that batches of trucks began arriving at the crossing since Monday evening, loaded with oil, flour, sugar, and rice, amid security guards.

"These supplies come as a grant provided by the Government of National Unity to sister Tunisia within the framework of support for what the Tunisian people are going through," said the embassy's media officer, Naeem Al-Ashibi.

The Russian-Ukrainian war cast a strong shadow over the food situation in Tunisia, at a time when the country is facing a shortage of liquidity due to an acute crisis in public finances.

Last November, the Government of National Unity in Libya sent 30 million tons of fuel as an aid to Tunisia to address the shortage of gasoline supplies.

Tunisia, which is suffering from a stifling economic crisis, is desperately awaiting the approval of the International Monetary Fund's board of directors for a lending program worth $1.9 billion in exchange for a commitment to a package of reforms to revive public finances and boost economic growth.