Libya

26 February 2025

Between November–December 2024, Libya hosted more than 824,000 migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers, who continue to face high protection needs as a result of arbitrary detention, physical assault, and exploitation, especially by human traffickers. During a raid on a human trafficking network in February 2025, at least two mass graves, with 93 bodies believed to be of the same demographic, were found in Jakharrah and Kufra districts. Most of these people are sub-Saharan Africans. They face access restrictions to services, including healthcare, especially those who face physical abuse in detention centres. There is a need for mental health support for those with post-traumatic stress disorders, victims of sexual violence, and other cases. People on the move also need shelter services, as they mostly stay in overcrowded shared rooms or building sites that can be unhealthy and dangerous, exposing them to the risk of diseases. (IOM 25/02/2025, IM 20/02/2025, MSF 12/02/2025)

01 October 2024

The conflict in Sudan since April 2023 has led to an influx of Sudanese refugees into Libya. More than 98,700 refugees had arrived by 29 September 2024, with most staying in southern Libya. Despite being allowed entry, refugees are not recognised under Libyan law and face protection risks, including trafficking, smuggling, assault, and detention. The influx has severely strained healthcare and nutrition services, particularly in border areas such as Al Kufra district, where malnutrition and a lack of medical supplies have been reported. The rising costs of basic goods and limited job opportunities also leave many unable to afford rent or access essential services. Although refugee children are permitted to attend schools, overcrowding and insufficient resources strain the education system. Refugees also lack access to clean water and face a shortage of latrines, leading to a risk of disease outbreaks. (UNHCR 29/09/2024, UNHCR 02/07/2024, IRC 12/08/2024)

27 August 2024

Floods since 16 August 2024 have been affecting southwestern Libya, mainly the towns of Ghat and Tahala. The flooding has displaced nearly 6,100 people, who are staying with relatives or in camps and schools. Some facilities, such as a police station and health centres, have closed because of the floods, which have also damaged around 40 farms. Urgent needs include food, clean drinking water, and personal hygiene kits. (IOM 18/08/2024, ECHO 20/08/2024)

05 June 2024

The number of people in mixed movements in Libya has surged to the highest levels since the COVID-19 pandemic. By May 2024, there were more than 63,400 registered refugees and asylum seekers in the country, while 719,000 migrants were identified between January–February. Most of the migrants left their origin countries of Egypt, Niger, and Sudan because of economic hardship, unemployment, or insecurity. These people on the move continue to face significant protection challenges and widespread human rights abuses. Many who attempt to cross to Europe are intercepted at sea and forcibly returned to Libya, where they face the risk of arbitrary detention, torture, and extortion in official and unofficial detention centres. In these facilities, conditions are harsh, with severe overcrowding and inadequate medical care. The involvement of traffickers aggravates their vulnerability, leading to increased exploitation and violence. (UNHCR accessed 05/06/2024, IOM 30/04/2024, MMC 07/02/2024)

21 February 2024

There has been an influx of Sudanese refugees to Kufra district, southeastern Libya, since nearly mid-February 2024. Their needs include shelter, food, and NFIs, as aid from the Libyan National Army is not enough, and the district does not have the capacity to cover the growing needs. As at 11 February, more than 6,000 refugees from Sudan had crossed into Libya. (Dabanga 16/02/2024, IOM 13/02/2024)

31 January 2024

The impact of Storm Daniel that hit eastern Libya on 10 September 2023 has damaged or destroyed more than 18,500 houses, which still require reconstruction and repair services. The storm affected housing the most, followed by the transportation and water sectors. Infrastructure damage has been restricting people’s access to services, including food, general healthcare, education, WASH, mental healthcare, and protection. With the decreasing temperatures and lack of shelters and residential places, needs among the displaced households for winterisation kits are increasing. The floods affected more than 250,000 people, while 44,800 remained internally displaced as at January 2024. More than 4,350 people were also confirmed dead and 8,000 still missing. (WB et al. 24/01/2024, OCHA 23/01/2024, IFRC 25/01/2024)

15 November 2023

The impact of Storm Daniel that made landfall on 10 September is still ongoing as disease outbreaks and lack of clean drinking water continue to be reported. As at 7 November, more than 6,400 cases of diarrheal disease and 3,400 cases of respiratory infections have been reported, in addition to cases of skin rashes. A quarter of the medical cases identified in the flood affected areas are among children under five years old. The health sector is under pressure to maintain access to medical care due to flood damage, a shortage of healthcare workers and lack of critical medical supplies. Lack of clean drinking water and limited access to food are contributing to increasing cases of diarrhoea. This will likely worsen the nutrition situation and further strain the healthcare response.
(OCHA 11/11/2023, OCHA 22/10/2023, Al Wasat 14/11/2023).