Thousands of Africans are stuck in a camp at Libya’s Tripoli airport trying desperately to get out of the country.

Aid agencies say at least 7000 of them are Nigerians. They have no money, no food and no water. A makeshift camp has been set up but conditions are cramped. The sanitary situation is getting worse, and people are becoming ill.

One woman said she has been there for three weeks with her children.

The agencies do not have enough supplies to go round, leading to a mad scramble for food and water.

“There are about 10 000 people here at the airport,” said one aid worker.

Many of those trying to leave were working without papers in Libya which is complicating the situation. The aid agencies have asked for the ambassadors of the various nationals to take charge of the situation.

One Egyptian refugee said some planes were arriving, but that they were asking for money, which they just don’t have.