ReliefWeb

Summary

• Unconfirmed reports suggest that up to 1,500 migrants and refugees have been living in difficult circumstances in informal sites near the Al Maya coastal area, west of Tripoli, for up to three months.

• While humanitarian actors have provided emergency assistance, on 19 November, it was reported to UN agencies and humanitarian partners that at least 300 migrants, refugees and asylum-seekers, including women and children, were transferred from the area.

• Initial reports indicate that the people were transferred in the presence of armed men and that shots were fired. Reports of casualties could not be confirmed.

Situation overview and humanitarian response

Unconfirmed reports suggest that up to 1,500 migrants, refugees and asylum-seekers had been in the Al Maya area for two to three months. The people are spread across several informal sites within the area, and conditions are poor. Many have no access to food or water and are in open air spaces.

Weather conditions in recent weeks have seen temperatures drop, as well as increased rain. An estimated 20 percent of the group is women, including pregnant women, and children. It is believed that most migrants and refugees originated from countries in the Sahel.

There have been no confirmed reports of how many people were transferred from the site on 19 November; who was responsible for the transfer; and where the people have been transferred to.

However, it is possible that they have been transferred to nearby detention centers run by the Directorate to Combat Illegal Migration (DCIM).

UN agencies report rescue at sea missions have been receiving people who have disembarked from Al Maya since 4-6 weeks. Additionally, reports suggest there have been new arrivals in the Al Maya site as a result of the conflict in the surrounding areas.

Health, shelter, food and drinking water needs have all been identified as initial key priorities.

Security conditions have made it extremely challenging for humanitarian agencies to fully assess needs and respond. A systematic needs assessment is yet to be conducted.

Despite challenges, some limited emergency humanitarian assistance was provided. On 15 November, UN agencies delivered non-food items (NFI) to 870 people in the area. On 16 November, UN agencies also began providing two meals per day to 870 this group of people. On 18 November a medical team visited one gathering in Al Maya and was able to assess medical needs, identifying cases of scabies, diabetics, wounds, bone fractures, suspected tuberculosis and asthma. Between 16 and18 November, local organizations were also able to access the site and provide some limited NFI assistance and protection monitoring data.

In response to reports of armed men entering the site on 19 November, humanitarian agencies are concerned about the protection of the migrants, refugees and asylum-seekers remaining in Al Maya and about the whereabouts and well-being of those that were taken off site. The UN is working with local partners and government counterparts to ascertain their safety.

Humanitarian actors remind all parties of their obligations under international law to ensure the protection of the human rights of all migrants, refugees and asylum-seekers, regardless of their legal status, mode of travel and country of origin. Transfer of people in the Libyan migration context needs to be done in line with humanitarian and human rights standards. Alternatives to detention need to be pursued and due process needs to be followed.

For further information, please contact: UNOCHA, HoO, Katleen Maes on contact: maes@un.org;