Fighting in Libya Claims 200 Lives, Displaces 35,000 People

Nearly three weeks of fighting in Tripoli, the Libyan capital, has claimed over 200 lives, displaced close to 35,000 people, , and injured more than 1,000.

As the conflict continues to intensify, aid agencies say further insecurity, continued displacements and large-scale humanitarian and protection needs are expected.

Already, the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), a United Nations agency, has provided emergency assistance to all affected populations since hostilities began but funding shortfalls are now affecting the Organisation’s ability to meet the critical needs of both migrants and the local families displaced by the fighting.

According to the IOM Libya Chief of Mission, Othman Belbeisi, ‘’families are fleeing their homes as fighting in southern Tripoli rages. With thousands of people running for safety every day, and more than 3,000 detained migrants who remain at high risk, immediate action is needed to provide crucial support to vulnerable civilians in Tripoli.’’

IOM is appealing to the international community for USD 4.3 million to allow for the delivery of multi-sectoral lifesaving assistance to individuals affected by the on-going conflict for the next three months. The interventions will target over 38,000 migrants and persons displaced as a direct consequence to the armed clashes.

IOM’s request comes as part of a more comprehensive inter-agency appeal. All civilians in Tripoli and especially detained migrants, among them children and women, are at risk.

IOM has provided non-food Items (NFIs), emergency food for detained migrants, primary health care, support for voluntary humanitarian return (VHR) and improving living conditions of detained migrants at DCIM detention centers in close coordination with humanitarian actors to ensure an effective and efficient delivery of assistance. IOM also continues to advocate for the closure of migrant detention centres.

The ability of the IOM and its humanitarian partners to deliver assistance has been greatly enhanced by use of the Organisation’s Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) which provides daily updates about the number and location of internally displaced people and their specific needs.

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