Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary General and Resident Humanitarian Coordinator, Georgette Gagnon, led a mission to Kufra on 18 July with the heads of five UN agencies to assess the situation of Sudanese refugees and host communities, and to guide the UN’s enhanced humanitarian response and action.
Since the outbreak of war in Sudan in April 2023, over 1.8 million refugees, as reported by UNHCR, have been compelled to seek refuge in neighboring countries, including Libya. Particularly in Kufra, southeastern Libya, thousands of refugees from Sudan have found shelter.
Gagnon mentioned, “Local authorities and host communities in Kufra and other Libyan cities have been actively supporting Sudanese refugees since the conflict. However, there is an urgent need for increased support, access, and coordination to address the growing humanitarian and protection needs.”
She highlighted the strain on local services, with many refugee families lacking adequate shelter and access to medical facilities to meet their healthcare and nutrition requirements, especially children arriving in Libya with malnutrition. Additional support for local infrastructure is necessary to ensure the continuity of basic services for communities hosting refugees.
During their visit to Kufra, the UN team interacted with doctors and patients at a medical facility providing assistance to refugees. Various UN agencies are contributing medical equipment, medicines, generators, and healthcare professionals. Mobile health clinics are offering primary healthcare services, vaccinating nearly 20,000 children, and supporting over 14,000 refugees with basic healthcare. The humanitarian assistance also includes hygiene kits, relief items, water tanks, and protection services for women and children. Sudanese refugees expressed gratitude for the support from local authorities and stressed the pressing need for increased assistance.
In support of official and community initiatives, the UN in Libya has launched the Response Plan for Sudanese Refugees in Libya (RPSL) for 2024, aiming to provide support and ensure responsibility sharing with the State of Libya, local authorities, and the Libyan population in managing ongoing challenges. A funding of USD 48.6 million has been requested from donors. UNHCR is leading the coordination of the refugee response and is mobilizing emergency teams to coordinate the efforts among all partners. Funds are crucial to bolster official endeavors and deliver critical assistance in health, nutrition, protection, shelter, water and sanitation, education, and registration and identification services enabling refugees to move safely and voluntarily from Kufra to other areas.
Gagnon affirmed, “In collaboration with local authorities, refugees, and humanitarian partners, the UN in Libya is committed to providing increased support to Sudanese refugees and host communities.”
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL).