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Country analysis

Libya


Libya has been in a civil war since 2011 following the Arab Spring uprising, with full-scale armed clashes between supporters of former leader Muammar Gaddafi and opposing armed groups. This has resulted in political instability, protracted violence, the emergence of various armed groups looking to control Libya, damage to critical infrastructure, and severe disruptions to the country's oil production. The October 2020 ceasefire agreement has allowed for more security and the return of many displaced people. Delays in the parliamentary and presidential elections originally scheduled for 24 December 2021 continue to risk a re-escalation of armed clashes between political groups supporting rival governments.

On 10 September 2023, Storm Daniel hit northeastern Libya, resulting in the collapse of two dams in Derna district and needs for more than 884,000 people, mostly WASH, health, food, and livelihood. Besides severely damaging infrastructure, the crisis led to water contamination, increasing the risk of disease outbreaks.

Libya is a transit country for migrants and asylum seekers, mostly Sub-Saharan Africans aiming to reach Europe. The lack of legal status and, for many, the lack of recognition of their refugee status expose them to severe protection violations, especially in the official and unofficial detention centres nationwide.

(The Borgen Project 02/04/2018; The Guardian 26/10/2011, OCHA 14/09/2023, OCHA 26/01/2023, IOM 17/01/2023)

Libya has been in a civil war since 2011 following the Arab Spring uprising, with full-scale armed clashes between supporters of former leader Muammar Gaddafi and opposing armed groups. This has resulted in political instability, protracted violence, the emergence of various armed groups looking to control Libya, damage to critical infrastructure, and severe disruptions to the country's oil production. The October 2020 ceasefire agreement has allowed for more security and the return of many displaced people. Delays in the parliamentary and presidential elections originally scheduled for 24 December 2021 continue to risk a re-escalation of armed clashes between political groups supporting rival governments.

On 10 September 2023, Storm Daniel hit northeastern Libya, resulting in the collapse of two dams in Derna district and needs for more than 884,000 people, mostly WASH, health, food, and livelihood. Besides severely damaging infrastructure, the crisis led to water contamination, increasing the risk of disease outbreaks.

Libya is a transit country for migrants and asylum seekers, mostly Sub-Saharan Africans aiming to reach Europe. The lack of legal status and, for many, the lack of recognition of their refugee status expose them to severe protection violations, especially in the official and unofficial detention centres nationwide.

(The Borgen Project 02/04/2018; The Guardian 26/10/2011, OCHA 14/09/2023, OCHA 26/01/2023, IOM 17/01/2023)

Latest updates on country situation

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).

15 November 2023

Mental health and psychosocial support are needed in flood-affected areas, as more people are reporting issues of increasing stress levels, anxiety, a lack of or disrupted sleep, and persistent low moods. Most needs are reported in the cities of Al-Bayda, Benghazi, Derna, and Tobruk. (IMC 09/11/2023, Al Jazeera 15/11/2023)

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)

current crises
in Libya


These crises have been identified through the INFORM Severity Index, a tool for measuring and comparing the severity of humanitarian crises globally.

Read more about the Index

LBY003 - Storm Daniel and floods

Last updated 29/02/2024


Drivers

Floods
Other seasonal event

Crisis level

Country

Severity level

3.2 High

Access constraints

2.0

LBY001 - Complex crisis

Last updated 29/02/2024


Drivers

Conflict
Displacement
Socio-political

Crisis level

Country

Severity level

3.8 High

Access constraints

4.0

LBY002 - Mixed Migration

Last updated 29/02/2024


Drivers

Displacement

Crisis level

Country

Severity level

3.4 High

Access constraints

4.0

REG007 - Central Mediterranean Route

Last updated 29/02/2024


Drivers


Crisis level

Regional

Severity level

3 Medium

Access constraints

3.0

Analysis products
on Libya

Libya: mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) needs of Storm Daniel-affected communities

30 January 2024

Libya: mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) needs of Storm Daniel-affected communities

DOCUMENT / PDF / 438 KB

Between 9–11 September 2023, Storm Daniel hit northeastern Libya. The storm had a significant impact on the mental health and psychosocial wellbeing of affected communities.

Natural hazards
Protection risks in eastern and western Libya

15 December 2023

Protection risks in eastern and western Libya

DOCUMENT / PDF / 2 MB

This report provides an analysis of available information on protection risks prior to Storm Daniel and identifies any new or changed protection threats following the storm.

 

Protection
Libya: anticipated impacts of the rainy season

27 October 2023

Libya: anticipated impacts of the rainy season

DOCUMENT / PDF / 1 MB

This report aims to identify the anticipated impacts of the upcoming rainy season in northern Libya, where communities are still recovering from Storm Daniel. It seeks to inform anticipatory action, preparedness, and emergency response among humanitarian organisations.

Natural hazards
Libya: pre-crisis humanitarian situation in Al Jabal Al Akhdar district

22 September 2023

Libya: pre-crisis humanitarian situation in Al Jabal Al Akhdar district

DOCUMENT / PDF / 1 MB

This report provides the current situation in Al Jabal Al Akhdar related to the impact of Storm Daniel district, as well as baseline, background, and contextual information to help inform the humanitarian response.

Natural hazards
Libya: pre-crisis humanitarian situation in Derna

19 September 2023

Libya: pre-crisis humanitarian situation in Derna

DOCUMENT / PDF / 576 KB

This report provides baseline, background, and context information on Derna district, referring to the situation before Storm Daniel made landfall in Libya on 10 September 2023 and the subsequent collapse of two dams in Derna, to help inform the humanitarian response.

Natural hazards
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