U.S. Sens. Todd Young, R-Indianain support of humanitarian access to areas of Libya affected by catastrophic storms.

U.S. Sens. Todd Young, R-Indiana, and Chris Murphy, D-Connecticut, ranking member and chairman of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Near East, South Asia, Central Asia, and Counterterrorism, released the following statement in support of humanitarian access to areas of Libya affected by catastrophic storms.

“We are distressed by the continuing reports out of Libya that thousands of lives have been lost due to catastrophic floods, with thousands more still missing. In Derna, we are particularly concerned by the failure of critical infrastructure that has challenged both the rescue and recovery efforts and hindered a full assessment of the extent of this disaster.

“We are heartened by early reports of humanitarian aid deliveries from Tripoli to eastern Libya, and support the emergency funding provided by the United States to relief organizations working on the ground. The United States has regularly called for free and fair elections in Libya to allow the Libyan people to chart the course of their own future and hold their leaders accountable. All parties to this conflict must provide full, safe, and unhindered humanitarian access to Derna and other affected cities and regions of eastern Libya. We oppose any effort to restrict or politicize the delivery of aid to Libyans who desperately need support.”