ABU DHABI // Charitable organisations in the UAE are building two new camps on the Tunisian-Libyan border in an effort to assist the increasing number of refugees fleeing Libya.
The Red Crescent, the Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation and many other charitable organisations have donated money, clothes, food and provided help for the refugees arriving in Tunisia from Libya.
Dr Saleh Altee, the director of relief and emergency at the Red Crescent, said about 200 to 300 tents would make up the camps but he was not sure of the exact number. The camps are still being constructed.
"The tents should be finished in the next three to four days and they will be completely fully fitted with kitchens, clinics and all kinds of facilities to receive the refugees," Dr Altee said.
The camps, named Emirates Camp, will be built four kilometres from the Libyan border into Tunisia and they will have a total capacity for about 15,000 displaced people, according to Dr Altee.
Majed al Mansouri, the chairman of the project at the Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation, said most of the foundation's work was on location.
"We have a team of around three managers and our staff on location there helping refugees return to their country," he said.
"They are helping them buy their tickets, preparing the airplanes and anything else they need to leave the country. They have started this process last Friday."
Dr Altee said: "The situation is very critical and up until now, there have been over 100,000 refugees fleeing Libya and they are in a very bad condition.
"They need a place to stay and rest to be able to continue their travels which is why we are trying to help."
