libya tv
Refugees in varying situations are dispersed across
Libya’s vastness. Some use Libya as a gateway to Europe, risking their
lives crossing the Mediterranean, while others are trying to return to
their homes due to displacement during the revolution.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees are working with
all groups in Libya along with NGOs to tackle the issue, and contribute
to Libya’s return to security and stability for all citizens.
Although the situation is far from over, gradual progress is evident.
As with any long term project, results cannot be expected overnight.
Here
is an update of the UNHCR’s latest activity in Libya, including a recap
of the maritime incidents of 2013 – updated by Libya TV English due to
recent events in July.
Refugees and asylum seekers
The collaboration with the Libyan government is gradually expanding.
Yet, the conditions of refugees and asylum seekers, especially in
detention, remain unchanged. Persons UNHCR considers in need of
international protection, including those intercepted at sea by Libyan
authorities, are often detained and mistreated. UNHCR continues to
assist persons in detention as well as targeted vulnerable cases in
urban areas. Thanks to the collaboration with the Department for
Combating Illegal Migration (DCIM), UNHCR registers and assists refugees
and asylum seekers. In 2013, 2,508 refugees and asylum seekers have
been provided with assistance while cases considered to be particularly
vulnerable, including pregnant women and women with young children, were
released from detention following the advocacy by UNHCR.
In the detention centres in East Libya, medical assistance and relief
items are urgently needed. For example, in June, 32 men from Eritrea
and 15 women from Eritrea and from Somalia detained in Ajdabiya went on
hunger strike because of the poor detention conditions. UNHCR’s partner
CESVI visited them and UNCHR is now liaising with authorities to address
the situation. In a separate mission to Ajdabiya on 16 June, UNHCR
registered 44 Syrian refugees and distributed 200 mattresses, 200
blankets and 40 kitchen-sets. UNHCR and CESVI will soon start delivering
financial assistance to hundreds of vulnerable persons fleeing from
Syria.
Protection challenges faced by refugees from Syria grow more complex
as more Syrians approach UNHCR to seek assistance. To address growing
needs, the office is discussing with the Prime Minister Office the
possibility of collaborating to assist refugees from Syria in Libya. For
the time being, UNHCR’s mobile teams in close collaboration with Libyan
NGOs conduct weekly missions throughout East and West Libya to register
and help refugee from Syria. As of 30 June, UNHCR registered 10,896
Syrian refugees.
On
5-6, 12 and 19 June, UNHCR was in Misrata to register Syrian refugees,
deliver attestation letters and distribute relief items. During the
first mission, UNHCR and the LRC hospital agreed to set up medical
referral mechanisms for emergency cases. Special assistance will be
provided to pregnant women in need of a caesarean. During the second and
third missions, 141 persons were registered. On 11 June, UNHCR was also
in Zawiya to establish the collaboration with the Zawiya Local Council
and local NGOs on the registration of Syrians. Mobile teams are being
reinforced also in East Libya. Missions to Al Marj and Al Abyar took
place on 2 and 4 July and 277 refugees from Syria were registered.
Internally displaced persons
The displaced community from Tawergha had planned to return en mass
to their hometown on 25 June. While discouraging the return because of
the lack of conditions ensuring safety and dignity, UNHCR liaised with
concerned authorities and partners including the Libyan Humanitarian
Agency (LibAid) sharing information and planning for the possible
delivery of assistance. Eventually the return was postponed. However a
group of 200 persons tried to return departing from Benghazi but was
stopped by tribal leaders in Ajdabiya who persuaded them not to
continue. To address the persistent needs of the displaced population,
UNHCR conducts regular visits to IDP sites in both East and West Libya.
Maritime incidents
UNHCR estimates that in the first six months of 2013, approximately
6,700 migrants and asylum- seekers from Libya landed on the coasts of
Italy and Malta, twice as many as in 2012. In fact, between January and
June 2012, approximately 3,536 persons departed from Libya in an
irregular manner. UNHCR praises the efforts made by the Italian, Maltese
and Libyan Coast Guard in rescuing boats in distress in their
respective territorial waters. Many of them carry persons in need of
international protection. Especially because of the recent increase in
the number of persons embarking in this perilous journey, it is
essential that all concerned parties adhere to the obligations defined
by international maritime law. In the first six months of 2013, UNHCR
has recorded some 40 deaths among the persons attempting to cross the
Mediterranean in an irregular way. This number is based on the
interviews conducted with survivors in Europe.
Update – As of July 2013, a further 400 migrants have reached the
Maltese shore and over 500 have been rescued off the Italian island,
Lampedusa. The increasing numbers have forced the government’s to take
action and pressing Libya to take more action in securing the border on
the Mediterranean. This brings the total to nearly 8,000 migrants since
the beginning of 2013