Attachments
Highlights
On 27 March, the UN Independent Fact-Finding Mission (FFM) on Libya expressed deep concern over the country's deteriorating human rights situation in its final report, concluding there are grounds to believe a wide array of war crimes and crimes against humanity have been committed. The report said that migrants, in particular, have been targeted and there is overwhelming evidence that they have been systematically tortured. "It is beyond question that significant revenue arising from the widescale exploitation of vulnerable irregular migrants incentivized the continuation of the violations documented," it said.
Population Movements
So far in 2023, more than 4,200 individuals have been reported as rescued or intercepted by the Libyan authorities. Last week, three disembarkations were carried out with a total of 344 survivors. Two operations were carried out by the Libyan Coast Guard (LCG) and disembarked at Tripoli Commercial Port (TCP) and one by the Marine Support Force and disembarked at Zwara Port (118 km west of Tripoli). UNHCR’s partner International Rescue Committee (IRC) attended one of the two operations at the TCP and provided medical assistance.
UNHCR Response
UNHCR, with partners, continues to provide help and services to some of the most vulnerable asylum-seekers and refugees. Last week, partner IRC distributed hygiene kits, blankets, tracksuits, slippers, soap, and adult diapers to 65 individuals, including 23 women and 13 children, at the Community Day Centre (CDC). IRC also distributed non-food items (NFIs) to 260 individuals, including 114 women in other locations in Tripoli. Partner CESVI provided emergency cash assistance to 42 refugee and asylumseeker households (84 individuals) at the CDC. Last week, IRC provided 272 general health and reproductive health consultations, 35 mental health consultations, and referred 51 individuals to public hospitals and private clinics. IRC medical team also supported 38 individuals through the 24/7 hotline, 13 of whom were referred for secondary medical assessments.
As of 26 March, 4,188 people are estimated to be in detention centres (DCs) across Libya, of whom more than 1,000 are from nationalities UNHCR registers in Libya. IRC carried out visits to Abusliem, Triq Al-Sikka, Triq Al-Matar and Ain Zara detention centres and provided more than 90 consultations. At the Serraj Registration Centre, UNHCR identified 35 individuals who have reportedly escaped or been released from trafficking camps. They were all referred for protection interviews to identify their needs and provide the necessary assistance. Last week, 23 best interest assessments and 69 protection needs assessments were conducted with children and adults to identify their protection concerns, and assess their needs, including referrals to specialized services.
UNHCR outreach team carried out two field visits to Janzour and Tajoura areas of Tripoli targeting more than 30 individuals from Eritrea and Sudan. Several issues and vulnerabilities were identified, including people with disabilities and medical needs, and referrals were made for specialized services according to the identified needs. Since the beginning of the year, the outreach team has conducted 18 field visits and eight community meetings. Under the community-based care arrangement programme of partner CESVI, there are currently around 50 active caregivers, hosting 120 cases in alternative care arrangements. Last week, one vulnerable individual who was identified as in need of shelter, was successfully put in care arrangement and four individuals were integrated within the community.
The child friendly space (CFS) in the CDC, run by partner CESVI, provides recreational sessions for asylum-seeker and refugee children ranging from the age 3 to 15 who are selected based on vulnerability criteria. Trained facilitators organize two sessions a week for each group of up to seven children for a duration of four weeks. Last week, 30 children attended the recreational sessions including those who were accommodated from the waiting area of the CDC.