Attachments
Highlights
- On 13 June, UNHCR evacuated 113 asylum-seekers from Libya to Rwanda through the Emergency Transit Mechanism (ETM), mainly asylum-seekers from Eritrea, Sudan and Ethiopia, as well as some from Somalia, South Sudan and Ivory Coast.Among the evacuated individuals were women at risk, survivors of violence, and people with severe medical conditions. Since 2017, more than 12,000 people have departed to third countries via evacuation, resettlement, and complementary pathways, with 648 individuals departing so far in 2024.
- On 27 June, UNHCR held an event to celebrate World Refugee Day at the Child-Friendly Space in UNHCR’s premises in Tripoli. The event brought together refugees of different backgrounds, including children with disabilities and unaccompanied children who had been invited to the event as well as walk-ins from the waiting area. The activities included painting and artwork display as well as sharing local delicacies prepared by caregivers.
- Sudanese asylum-seekers and refugees continue to arrive in Libya following the outbreak of conflict in Sudan in mid-April 2023. As of end June, UNHCR had registered a total of 40,878 Sudanese refugees, out of this, more than 20,000 Sudanese refugees cite their arrival in Libya after the start of the conflict. UNHCR continues to engage with Sudanese across the country to assess protection risks and identify the needs of new arrivals. These efforts include house visits, in-depth protection needs assessments, phone verifications and consultations with the community. In June, UNHCR conducted more than 360 phone verifications. Individual assistance is provided based on available resources, prioritizing those at heightened risks such as women with children, unaccompanied children and elderly people and includes family reunification when possible**. UNHCR provided 6,784 NFI kits containing clothes, blankets, hygiene kits and kitchen sets to newly registered Sudanese refugees, reaching 1,434 Sudanese families (4,828 individuals) with such assistance since April 2023**. Sudanese refugees, as well as from other nationalities, receive access to assistance and services at the Community Day Centre (CDC). In June, more than 450 Sudanese refugees benefited from support at the CDC. UNHCR undertook 1,772 protection needs assessments through the protection desk since April 2023 for Sudanese families and initiated best interest assessments for 546 unaccompanied and separated children (UAC).
- On 12 June, UNHCR hosted a meeting of the Inter-Agency Working Group (IAWG) for the Sudan response to discuss and coordinate the refugee response in Libya. The Response Plan for Sudanese Refugees in Libya will be integrated into the Regional Refugee Response Plan as of July 2024 to enhance fundraising and coordination. On 26 June, a meeting of the IAWG was held and discussed on latest developments in Sudan and Southeast Libya where many new Sudanese refugees are arriving. In addition to the situation update, the IAWG endorsed the establishment of eight Task Forces which will manage implementation at the technical and operational level and report updates on progress. On 25 June, UNHCR held a meeting with the Sudanese Embassy representatives in Tripoli, to discuss steps to strengthen collaboration to respond to the growing needs of newly arrived refugees. The embassy shared that they have been issuing documentation for refugees, including passports and identity attestations. As a way forward, the Embassy agreed to liaise with UNHCR on community outreach to help reach more refugees in need of protection services or assistance by UNHCR.