The United Nations World Food Program is launching a $38.7 million emergency operation to help 2.7 million people in Libya, Egypt and Tunisia, and is asking for financial support for the effort, Executive Director Josette Sheeran said today from the region where thousands are evacuating countries with unsettled governments.

“On the border of Libya and Tunisia yesterday, I was surrounded by tens of thousands of people fleeing violence,” Sheeran said in an email. “It is clear the world must increase humanitarian action to prevent a disaster inside Libya. We call for safe humanitarian access, especially to western Libya. Cutting off food supplies must not be used as a weapon.”

Sheeran said she has pledged WFP’s support for a partnership with the Red Crescent, and that the first airlift of 80 metric tons of high-energy biscuits, flown in on Monday, were being distributed at crossing points.

WFP has re-routed shipments of wheat and wheat flour to the Tunisian border and the Libyan port of Benghazi, she said, where they will be positioned to meet immediate humanitarian needs that may arise.

“WFP has a strong presence inside Libya and we are currently making assessments that will allow us to quickly direct life saving food assistance towards those who are most vulnerable. We call upon the world for immediate support for this appeal,” Sheeran concluded.