Highlights
Despite the temporary evacuation of international UN staff and most international NGOs from Libya in 2014, UNICEF has continuously maintained a presence in Tripoli with national staff and with qualified national consultants to monitor and support the on-going humanitarian programmes.
According to the information received from the Ministry of Education in Benghazi, 136 out of 286 schools (47.6 per cent) need varying degrees of rehabilitation.
In January 2016, partnership with the Boy Scouts and Girl Guides Association - an impartial body with access to the whole country – UNICEF distributed 720 recreational kits in 28 towns across the country reaching out to 64,800 children.
On 26th January 2016, UNICEF launched its humanitarian appeal, requesting US$19.3 million, to respond to humanitarian needs of children in Libya in 2016
Situation Overview & Humanitarian Needs
Close to four and a half years after the fall of the Ghaddafi regime, the process to establish a government is ongoing. Weak governance, violence and high levels of insecurity continue to lead to displacement and the erosion of access to basic services. The emergence and expansion of criminal and armed groups has furthermore challenged the humanitarian response. UNICEF and other humanitarian actors remain focused on identifying and responding to the most urgent needs of children and women who have borne the brunt of the crisis. As the conflict draws on, the political instability and violence as well as the slowing economy continue to undermine access to services such as health and education. Needs are particularly great in the east of the country, mainly in the Benghazi area, where schools are used as emergency collective centres by IDPs and where 136 out of 286 schools need maintenance or rehabilitation.
Despite the temporary evacuation of all UN international staff and most of the international NGOs from Libya in 2014, UNICEF Libya succeeded in maintaining a presence in Tripoli with national staff and national consultants to support and monitor the on-going programmes. UNICEF Libya international staff have continued to operate remotely from Tunisia. Through regular contact with partners on the ground, UNICEF and its partners continue to obtain the most updated information about the needs of the affected people and spearhead the emergency response in WASH, education and child protection.