In a recent inspection visit to Kufra, Libya, Georgette Gagnon, the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General for the UN and Resident Coordinator for Humanitarian Affairs, alongside the heads of five UN agencies, evaluated the situation of Sudanese refugees and their host communities.
This visit aims to strengthen the UN’s expanded humanitarian response efforts in the region.
According to a statement released by the UN mission, the UN team met with doctors and patients at a medical facility supported by UN agencies, equipped with medical devices, medications, electric generators, and healthcare specialists.
Mobile health clinics provided primary healthcare services, immunizing approximately 20,000 children and delivering basic health care to over 14,000 refugees.
Additional humanitarian aid included the distribution of sanitary hygiene kits, basic relief materials, water tanks, and protective services for women and children.
Sudanese refugees expressed their gratitude for the support provided by local authorities and emphasized the urgent need for increased assistance.
Since the outbreak of war in Sudan in April 2023, over 1.8 million refugees, according to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, have been forced to flee to neighbouring countries, including Libya, particularly Kufra in southeastern Libya, which hosts thousands of Sudanese refugees.
Gagnon stated, “Local authorities and host communities in Kufra and other cities in Libya have been actively supporting Sudanese refugees since the conflict began. There is a critical need for more support, access, and coordination to meet the humanitarian needs and provide increased protection.”
She noted that local services are overwhelmed, with many refugee families in need of proper shelter and medical facilities unable to meet healthcare and nutritional needs, including malnourished children arriving in Libya.
There is also a need for more support for local infrastructure to ensure the continuous provision of basic services to the host communities.
To support the efforts led by the Libyan authorities and local communities, the United Nations in Libya launched the 2024 Sudanese Refugees Response Plan in Libya to provide support and ensure responsibility sharing with the Libyan state, local authorities, and citizens, requesting $48.6 million from donors.
The UN High Commissioner for Refugees is coordinating the response for refugees, expanding emergency teams, and deploying them to coordinate efforts among all partners.
Gagnon added, “With coordination and cooperation with local authorities, refugees, and partners in the humanitarian field, the United Nations in Libya is committed to providing more support to Sudanese refugees and host communities.”
