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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, critical infrastructure damage, and disruptions to 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.

Libya is a transit country for migrants and asylum seekers. The lack of legal status and, for many, recognition of their refugee status expose them to severe protection violations, especially in official and unofficial detention centres. Since the conflict broke out in Sudan in April 2023, there has been an increase in the number of arrivals from Sudan. In August 2024, more than 60% of the registered refugees and asylum seekers in Libya were from Sudan.

(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, critical infrastructure damage, and disruptions to 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.

Libya is a transit country for migrants and asylum seekers. The lack of legal status and, for many, recognition of their refugee status expose them to severe protection violations, especially in official and unofficial detention centres. Since the conflict broke out in Sudan in April 2023, there has been an increase in the number of arrivals from Sudan. In August 2024, more than 60% of the registered refugees and asylum seekers in Libya were from Sudan.

(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

01 October 2024

The conflict in Sudan since April 2023 has led to an influx of Sudanese refugees into Libya. More than 98,700 refugees had arrived by 29 September 2024, with most staying in southern Libya. Despite being allowed entry, refugees are not recognised under Libyan law and face protection risks, including trafficking, smuggling, assault, and detention. The influx has severely strained healthcare and nutrition services, particularly in border areas such as Al Kufra district, where malnutrition and a lack of medical supplies have been reported. The rising costs of basic goods and limited job opportunities also leave many unable to afford rent or access essential services. Although refugee children are permitted to attend schools, overcrowding and insufficient resources strain the education system. Refugees also lack access to clean water and face a shortage of latrines, leading to a risk of disease outbreaks. (UNHCR 29/09/2024, UNHCR 02/07/2024, IRC 12/08/2024)

27 August 2024

Floods since 16 August 2024 have been affecting southwestern Libya, mainly the towns of Ghat and Tahala. The flooding has displaced nearly 6,100 people, who are staying with relatives or in camps and schools. Some facilities, such as a police station and health centres, have closed because of the floods, which have also damaged around 40 farms. Urgent needs include food, clean drinking water, and personal hygiene kits. (IOM 18/08/2024, ECHO 20/08/2024)

05 June 2024

The number of people in mixed movements in Libya has surged to the highest levels since the COVID-19 pandemic. By May 2024, there were more than 63,400 registered refugees and asylum seekers in the country, while 719,000 migrants were identified between January–February. Most of the migrants left their origin countries of Egypt, Niger, and Sudan because of economic hardship, unemployment, or insecurity. These people on the move continue to face significant protection challenges and widespread human rights abuses. Many who attempt to cross to Europe are intercepted at sea and forcibly returned to Libya, where they face the risk of arbitrary detention, torture, and extortion in official and unofficial detention centres. In these facilities, conditions are harsh, with severe overcrowding and inadequate medical care. The involvement of traffickers aggravates their vulnerability, leading to increased exploitation and violence. (UNHCR accessed 05/06/2024, IOM 30/04/2024, MMC 07/02/2024)

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)

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

LBY004 - Refugees from Sudan

Last updated 22/10/2024


Drivers

Conflict

Crisis level

Country

Severity level

2.6 Medium

Access constraints

3.0

LBY001 - Complex crisis

Last updated 22/10/2024


Drivers

Conflict
Displacement
Socio-political

Crisis level

Country

Severity level

4 High

Access constraints

4.0

LBY002 - Mixed Migration

Last updated 22/10/2024


Drivers

Displacement

Crisis level

Country

Severity level

3.5 High

Access constraints

4.0

REG007 - Central Mediterranean Route

Last updated 29/09/2024


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.

 

Anticipatory analysisProtection
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.

Anticipatory analysisNatural 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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