ReliefWeb

AMOUNT: EUR 16 000 000

0. MAJOR CHANGES SINCE PREVIOUS VERSION OF THE HIP

July 2015 – Modification No. 2

With the internal conflict in Libya affecting the country since July 2014, and economic resources being depleted and coping capacities reaching a limit, people are increasingly vulnerable and in need of assistance. This situation has an even more dramatic impact on migrants and asylumseekers, who are among the most vulnerable. According to UNHCR there are 455 671 people of concern in Libya, including 418 803 internally displaced people (IDPs), 27 964 registered refugees and 8 904 asylum seekers.

Libya has been a traditional transit country for migrants and asylum seekers looking for better economic opportunities, or fleeing war or lack of freedom in their own countries and attempting to cross over to Europe. As the ongoing conflict drastically impacts their already vulnerable situation, an increasing number of migrants and asylum seekers are stranded in Libya or risking their lives to reach Europe by sea. By the end of May 2015, UNHCR had estimated that 47 463 migrants and asylum seekers had reached Italy. At the same time, Libya's Department for Combatting Illegal Migration estimated that more than 4 600 were held in detention centers in the country as of 11 June.

The preliminary findings of the Humanitarian Needs Assessment (June 2015) shows that access to basic services remains limited, particularly in the health sector. While private health facilities are functioning in Eastern and Western Libya, most public facilities are not fully operational as a consequence of the unavailability of medicines or lack of staff. Water networks face some level of disruption and water testing has not been conducted in the past few months, increasing the risk of outbreaks of water-borne diseases.

Access to food has become an increasing concern as prices continue to rise, while salaries are not paid on a regular basis and the disruption of the banking system exacerbates the lack of cash.
The coping strategies of the displaced population are being exhausted as people progressively rely on savings and host communities' hospitality to cover basic needs.

Protection of the displaced and other vulnerable groups, in particular migrants and asylum seekers, is a major concern. While the main reasons for displacement are lack of security and access to basic services, community and family networks also play a role. Lost personal identification documents and physical aggressions, kidnappings, abductions and undermined freedom of movement have been reported by all population groups.

In view of the deteriorating humanitarian situation prompted by the conflict and irregular migratory flows, the European Commission has decided to increase by EUR 3 000 000 the allocation under the North Africa HIP 2015 to respond to the Libya Crisis. This additional funding will be used to respond to the humanitarian needs of the most vulnerable groups affected by the conflict inside Libya including stranded migrants. The funding allocation will be informed by the Humanitarian Needs Overview findings, the UN Strategic Response Plan and needs analysis conducted by humanitarian partners.