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UNHCR Flash Update Libya (10 - 17 August 2018) [EN/AR]

Countries
Libya
+ 1 more
Sources
UNHCR
Publication date

Key figures:

192,513 Libyans currently internally displaced (IDPs)

372,741 returned IDPs (returns registered in 2016 - April 2018)

54,834 registered refugees and asylumseekers in the State of Libya

19,193 persons arrived in Italy by sea in 2018

845 monitoring visits to detention centres so far in 2018

1,845 asylum-seekers and refugees released from detention so far in 2018

Funding

USD 85 M required for 2018

Highlights

UNHCR is concerned about the forced eviction by militias of 1,900 internally displaced persons (IDPs) from Triq Al Matar settlement in Tripoli, Libya. Triq Al Matar was the largest IDP settlement in Tripoli, hosting 370 families originally from the city of Tawergha who had been living in the settlement since it was established in 2011. UNHCR is concerned that IDPs moving to other settlements in Tripoli are at risk of further eviction. Some families from Tawergha living in other settlements in Tripoli have already fled their homes for fear of being attacked. UNHCR calls for the respect of human rights, the protection of civilians and for the right of displaced persons to decide their own future. UNHCR is closely following-up on the situation and liaising with all parties to ensure that the main needs of IDPs are met and any future evictions are prevented.

UNHCR welcomes the recent Aquarius resolution, but stresses the need for a more predictable approach to disembarkation. UNHCR applauds the decision by the Government of Malta to permit the disembarkation of 141 asylum-seekers and migrants rescued on the Central Mediterranean by an NGO boat, the Aquarius. We also commend those countries who have come forward to offer relocation places for rescued passengers post-disembarkation. This demonstrates the benefits that can be reaped from a collaborative approach. Nonetheless, the situation of the Aquarius and in particular the standoff of the last few days has again highlighted the need for a Mediterranean regional arrangement that provides clarity and predictability on where boats carrying rescued passengers can dock.
This is essential if further such situations are to be avoided.

Population Movements

As of 17 August, the Libyan Coast Guard (LCG) rescued/intercepted 12,747 refugees and migrants (8,724 men, 1,964 women and 1,203 children) at sea during 91 operations. The main nationalities of individuals disembarked in Libya are Nigerian (1,696 individuals), Sudanese (983 individuals) and Eritrean (1,409 individuals). Since the beginning of the year, 97 bodies were recovered in Libyan waters while 583 lives were lost at sea. During the reporting period, 59 individuals disembarked at Azzawya Port (45 km west of Tripoli). The group included 34 men, 21 women and four children. UNHCR and its partner the International Medical Corps (IMC) provided core-relief items and vital medical assistance both at the disembarkation points and in the detention centres to which individuals were subsequently transferred by the authorities.

UNHCR Response

On 15 August, UNHCR visited internally displaced persons (IDPs) living in Awal (415 km southwest of Tripoli). The village hosts 435 Tuareg families who were displaced from Ghadames (605 km southwest of Tripoli). The main needs identified by UNHCR were access to electricity and potable water. The community also lacked adequate health facilities and requested support to rehabilitate a local clinic and to procure medical supplies. UNHCR implemented quick-impact projects (QIPs) to support IDPs in Awal. Specifically, UNHCR provided water tanks to ensure access to drinkable water and solar street lights to address the lack of public street lighting in the community. On 15 August, UNHCR also visited the city of Ghadames and met with the Local Council to discuss the humanitarian needs of returnee families.

In 2018, UNHCR implemented more than 75 QIPs in Libya. QIPs are small-scale projects that aim to enhance social cohesion between IDPs, returnees and host communities. UNHCR’s QIPs were implemented across the country and included the provision of water tanks, generators, computers, school desks, medical equipment, solar street lights and waste management devices. UNHCR also supported communities with the rehabilitation of public spaces.

UNHCR continues to identify and register persons in need of international protection who are held in detention facilities in Libya. In 2018, UNHCR and its partners conducted more than 845 monitoring visits to detention centres throughout Libya. A total of 1,527 individuals were released from detention as a result of UNHCR’s advocacy.