In the News: Libyan Refugees Flock to Neighboring Countries; Toyota Gives Away Cars for a Good Cause

In the News: Libyan Refugees Flock to Neighboring Countries; Toyota Gives Away Cars for a Good Cause


  • Libya’s Neighbors Receive Over 140,000 Refugees

The United Nations refugee agency reports more than 140,000 people have fled Libya for neighboring countries, as violence mounts in the African country, according to The Associated Press.

Sybella Wilkes, a spokeswoman for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Geneva told The Times, an estimated 75,000 refugees have spilled into Tunisia from Libya, while 69,000 others crossed over from the eastern part of the country to Egypt. The majority of people fleeing Libya are foreign workers, who have either lost their jobs or are escaping the country’s unstable climate. With 1.5 million Egyptians working in Libya alone, they make up the majority of fleeing refugees, according to the UNHCR.

The UNHCR and the International Organization for Migration are urging governments to start humanitarian evacuation efforts in the area. The announcement comes after opponents of current president Col. Moammar Gadhafi and his regime fought off attempts by regime loyalists to regain al-Zawiya, the city closest to Tripoli, the nation’s capitol.

  • Facebook Joins Forces with Toyota for 100 Car Giveaway

Toyota announced today its 100 Cars for Good program geared towards awarding 100 noteworthy nonprofit organizations 100 vehicles over the course of 100 days based on the public’s vote.

From March 7 through 21, registered 501c(3) nonprofits can visit Toyota’s Facebook page to apply for an opportunity to win one of six vehicles–a Toyota Prius, Tacoma, Tundra, Highlander Hybrid, Sienna, or Sienna Mobility–and a six-year 100,000 mile powertrain warranty. To be in the running, applicants must let Toyota know how they plan to improve their community with the help of the new car. A panel of judges will narrow down the entries to 500 organizations.

“Over the past two decades, Toyota has contributed more than half a billion dollars to philanthropic programs in the United States, and now 100 Cars for Good will put the public in the driver’s seat for one of our philanthropic efforts,” said Jim Lentz, president of Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.
Toyota’s Facebook page will profile five organizations each day. Voting opens up to the public May 9.

 


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