Libya

19 September 2023

As at 16 September 2023, at least 11,300 people had died in Libya because of the floods caused by Storm Daniel. More than 40,000 people had been displaced and were staying in makeshift shelters, in schools, or with friends or relatives. They require clean water, food, healthcare, and other basic services. On 18 September, hundreds of people started protesting in Derna, demanding accountability from the authorities.
(OCHA 18/09/2023, Reuters 17/09/2023, Al Jazeera 18/09/2023)

13 September 2023

As at 13 September 2023, the impact of Storm Daniel, which made landfall in Libya on 10 September, had killed at least 5,300 people and led to more than 10,000 missing. The storm caused sudden heavy rainfall, flash floods, and strong winds, affecting coastal towns and cities, especially Derna and Benghazi. The total number of displaced people is unknown, but at least 30,000 in Derna are displaced, as two dams collapsed in the city and led to the water swiping away entire neighbourhoods. Widespread damage to infrastructure is reported. Roads are inaccessible, and phone and internet services have been affected, limiting humanitarian access and response. Some areas, including Derna, have been declared disaster zones. Needs likely include shelter, medical services, food, and clean water. Health facilities lack the capacity to treat people in need and will be overwhelmed, and water stagnation and contamination increase the risk of waterborne disease outbreaks. (Al Jazeera accessed 13/09/2023, IOM 13/09/2023, Crisis24 11/09/2023)

29 August 2023

Access to aid and other services for over 700,000 migrants and 40,500 refugees and asylum seekers in Libya continue to be limited. Bureaucratic and administrative impediments and restrictions to access to people in need are affecting humanitarian operations. Money transfers required to run humanitarian operations are subject to limitations, with about USD 1 million still awaiting authorisation from banks to be transferred into INGO accounts. The issuance of visas for international staff has been very challenging, resulting in delays and cancellation of activities. No visas have been issued for international staff since March 2022. Reaching people in need, especially in detention centres and those who lack proper documentation, continues to be a main restriction, resulting in the shutting down of operations. Médecins Sans Frontières announced the ending of its medical activities in Tripoli as of 24 August following a review process and financial reprioritisation. (MSF 24/08/2023, ACAPS 05/07/2023, IOM 08/08/2023)

17 August 2023

Since the second week of July 2023, an estimated 150 migrants and asylum seekers have crossed daily from Tunisia to Al Assah, a remote and desert area inside the Libyan borders. They suffer from the impact of the heatwaves affecting the area and need food, water, shelter, and healthcare services. (Al Jazeera 09/08/2023, IFRC 31/07/2023)

17 July 2023

On 17 July 2023, Libyan border guards rescued around 360 sub-Saharan migrants, including women and children, expelled by Tunisian authorities to a remote desert area. They need water, food, and shelter assistance, as well as information services regarding legal procedures and registration. (The New Arab 17/07/2023, Al Jazeera 17/07/2023)

29 May 2023

Between 21–27 May 2023, around 720 migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers attempting to cross the Mediterranean from Libya were returned to the restive state. As at 27 May, the total number of migrants returned to Libya within 2023 was approximately 5,700. More people have died while attempting the crossing, with 640 deaths in 2023 as at 27 May compared to 529 from January–December 2022 and 662 from January–December 2021. Migrants and asylum seekers returned to detention centres in Libya face exploitation, abuse, and sexual violence. At least half of migrant women have reported experiencing sexual violence while being transferred between detention centres by security forces. As at December 2022, there were more than 690,000 migrants and asylum seekers in Libya. The protection needs of migrants remain high. (IOM 29/05/2023, E-IR 08/05/2023, MMC 26/04/2023)