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UNHCR Libya Operation External Update 02 June 2017

KEY FIGURES

256,615 Libyans

currently internally displaced persons (IDPs)

227,866 returned IDPs (returns registered in 2017) 1

1,385 sea rescue kits distributed

60,309 persons arriving in Italy from Libya since 1 January 2017 (source: data2.unhcr.org)

41,319 registered refugees and asylum-seekers in Libya

FUNDING
USD 75.5 million
required for IDPs and refugees in Libya in 2017

OPERATIONAL UPDATE

On 30 May, UNHCR and the UN Migration Agency (IOM) presented their plans for expanding operations in Libya. UNHCR’s Supplementary Appeal for US$75.5 million aims to meet the increased humanitarian and protection needs of people in Libya – including IDPs and host communities, as well as refugees and asylum seekers. The appeal includes protection monitoring and interventions, as well as advocacy on issues related to respect for human rights, access to basic services, asylum procedures, freedom of movement and solutions.

Due to unexpected armed clashes in Tripoli, UNHCR suspended activities at the Community Development Centre (CDC) in Salah Adin on 26 May. The situation stabilized and UNHCR was able to continue with regular activities the following day.

RESPONSE UPDATE

UNHCR improved conditions at six disembarkation points in Tripoli (including Azzawyia, Tajura, Tripoli Marine Club, Al Khums) with the installation of six new portable medical posts, the rehabilitation the Libyan Coast Guard (LCG) offices, and the construction of water and sanitation facilities and shaded areas for refugees and migrants. UNHCR conducted monitoring activities at these disembarkation points and was able to assess the impact of these improvements on refugees’ and migrants’ access to immediate assistance/services upon rescue/interception at sea. These efforts are part of UNHCR’s plans to reinforce cooperation with the LCG. Standard Operating Procedures following disembarkation are currently being finalized by UNHCR and IOM under the Mixed Migration Working Group.

Some 1,730 individuals including, 271 women, 1,381 men, 61 children and 17 infants were rescued/intercepted at sea off the Libyan coast, while 90 persons are feared to have lost their lives near the Azzawiya disembarkation point. Nationalities of individuals rescued included Eritrea, Syria and Ethiopia. UNHCR and IMC provided medical consultations and sea rescue kits to the most vulnerable including, 32 pregnant women and 9 children with special needs. Among this group, 77 persons suffered from severe burns due to a fire on their boat. So far in 2017, UNHCR provided 1,385 rescue kits and 1,319 medical consultations after sea rescue/interception operations conducted by the LCG.

Advocacy for non-detention of refugees and asylum-seekers continued, with the release of five Sudanese nationals from detention in Tariq al-Sikka following UNHCR’s intervention. Since January, 304 refugees and asylum seekers were released from detention following UNHCR’s advocacy efforts. This week, UNHCR and partner IMC conducted 14 visits to detention centres and provided 980 medical consultations and 224 sea rescue kits to individuals detained following sea rescue/interception.

Support to 855 refugees and asylum seekers in Tripoli continued through Community Development Centres, while hotlines were active in both Tripoli and Benghazi. Assistance included the provision of medical consultations, hygiene kits, cash grants, documentation and registration to Syrian, Sudanese, Palestinian, Ethiopian and Iraqi nationals.

Efforts towards access to education for refugees continued, with assessment visits to education centres in Tripoli. Following reports of refugees being denied access to schools, UNHCR team visited two schools attended by Syrian, Palestinian and Sudanese refugees. The team noted that access to education is mostly denied due to the lack of relevant enrolment documentation, namely school records or identity documents. UNHCR is undertaking discussions with these education centres and advocacy with authorities for refugees’ access to schools despite absence of documents.

HUMANITARIAN ACCESS

The UN Strategic Assessment Mission (SAM) to reassess the UN’s role in Libya concluded successfully. On 26 May, the SAM team met with Heads of UN agencies in Tunisia to discuss agencies’ concerns and to evaluate future plans for UN return to Libya.