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UNICEF Libya Flash Update: Western Libya Response Update # 1, 10 January 2020

Countries
Libya
Sources
UNICEF
Publication date

Situation in numbers

1.5 million people affected

500,000 children affected

149,315 Population displaced in Southern Tripoli

Response

3,890 People reached with hygiene items

228 Children received winter clothes

24,000 People reached with primary health care services

Humanitarian Situation Overview

On 16 December, the General Commander of the Libyan National Army declared ‘zero hour’ in order to capture Tripoli and the rest of Western Libya. Since then, the flighting has intensified in the Western Libya particularly in the southern part of Tripoli. Indiscriminate attacks on civilians including children have been reported, with Ain Zara, Abu-Salim and Souq Al Jum'aa municipalities being affected most. An estimated 9,863 families (149,315 individuals) have been displaced from this increased violence while migrants and refugees held in detention centres and the Gathering and Departure Facility are exposed to increased risk. Other areas such as the municipality of Tarhouna are suffering from displacement and lack of support to basic service delivery.

Additionally, half of the health facilities in three municipalities- Abu Salim, Ain Zara and Tajoura- are estimated to be in areas close to conflict lines while eight out of the 38 Primary Health Care Facilities in the conflict-affected areas in Abu Salim, Ain Zara and Tajoura are closed.

The education of children has been seriously disrupted: the increase in fighting in recent weeks has partially destroyed five schools while forcing 210 schools to close in Ain Zara, Abu Salim and Souq Al Jum'aa municipalities, pushing 115,000 children out of education. All schools in Greater Tripoli have been closed this week, starting from the 6th of January, in solidarity with the victims of the attack on the Military Academy and it is yet to be seen if they will report next week.

The low winter temperatures, strong winds, heavy rains and extended electricity cuts are limiting families’ ability to cope with the circumstances. Unexploded ordnances also continue to pose a high risk to children living in conflict-affected areas.