Libya

Displacement Situation 

Libya has been adversely affected by conflict and protracted political crisis since 2011, driving people into displacement, affecting their wellbeing, and living standards as well as access to basic services. On 4 April 2019, a conflict erupted between Government of National Accord (GNA) and Libyan National Army (LNA) forces south of Tripoli, which ended with a permanent ceasefire in October 2020. In 2021, participants to the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum (LPDF) agreed on the procedures for the transitional phase and in February 2021 selected the Government of National Unity (GNU). The GNU is tasked to govern and prepare the country for popular elections on 24 December 2021. However, there is yet to be consensus on the elections’ constitutional and legal basis. The complex fragmented political and military scenario in Libya lead to severe access restrictions to delivering of aid which is further compounded with COVID-19 pandemic and the associated prevention measures. 

There are currently 1.3 million people in need of humanitarian assistance; of which 23% are women, 35% are children and 15% are people with disabilities. Conflict and displacement-affected populations in Libya face a consistent gap in their ability to meet basic needs, including access to protection, healthcare services, water and sanitation facilities, access to adequate housing, education and secure sources of income, etc. Libya is a destination and transit country for migrants, asylum seekers and refugees, many facing gaps in meeting their basic needs in addition to lack of documentation impacting legal status, security of tenure and access to services. Most are people from Sub-Saharan Africa, North Africa and the Middle East who are fleeing violence and persecution and seeking livelihoods opportunities to provide for themselves and their families. Migrants and refugees are regularly discriminated against and subject to arbitrary and indefinite detention, gender-based violence, forced labour and exploitation as well as denial of human rights.

DRC Response 

DRC Libya works to support all people affected by conflict and displacement regardless of their status. We focus on the needs of vulnerable internally displaced people, returnees and host communities as well migrants, refugees and asylum seekers. DRC Libya’s integrated approach of response to this complex environment, as intended at:

• Addressing basic needs through provision of unconditional multi-purpose cash assistance, rehabilitating health centres and schools, supporting people in rehabilitations of their homes for dignified housing conditions, and providing them with kits comprised of basic hygiene and non-food items. DRC Libya’s teams are also working to support in access to sufficient quantities of safe drinking waters and works to support efforts at infection prevention and control of COVID-19.
• Protecting lives by establishing protective and rights-based foundations for safe and supportive environment. DRC Libya provides a comprehensive package of protection services including direct service provision through individual protection assistance, referrals to appropriate specialised services, case management and psychosocial support, legal aid, and information sharing and awareness-raising. DRC Libya is also directly working on surveying land for and disposing of unexploded ordnances, clearing battle areas, and delivering information sessions on explosive ordnance risk education.
• Supporting social cohesion by strengthening resilience and harmony of and within communities, through encouraging dialogue on positive actions such as violence reduction and enabling communities to implement community plans and initiatives.
• Enabling economic recovery by contributing to economic development and durable business solutions in cooperation with local authorities, training centres and businesses, as well as providing temporary livelihoods support for affected populations to live a self-reliant, dignified life and reduce their negative coping mechanisms.