UNHCR: 350 New Arrivals Daily from Sudan to Libya
moatinoon
In its first report on the number of Sudanese refugees arriving in Libya, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) announced that the number of Sudanese who have fled to Libya has reached 97,000, with numbers continuing to rise.
The UNHCR stated in a report released the day before yesterday that a major entry point for Sudanese refugees into Libya is now overcrowded, receiving approximately 350 new arrivals from Sudan every day. Recent floods in the region have impacted vital local infrastructure, forcing some refugees to temporarily take shelter in schools. The turbulent weather has hit the southeastern region of Libya, prompting local authorities to raise preparedness and declare a state of emergency in the Kufra municipality.
Asir Al-Madaen, Head of the UNHCR Mission in Libya, said: "Women and children continue to bear the brunt of this crisis. As we continue to witness an unrelenting influx of refugees fleeing unimaginable circumstances, we call on the international community to stand by the Sudanese refugees who have been generously hosted by the regions countries and to support the response."
The report added that many refugees are living in temporary tents on farms on the outskirts of Kufra. Lacking adequate water, sanitation facilities, and safe shelters, they are exposed to severe weather and health risks.
The UNHCR expressed concern that women, children, and others with special needs face increasing risks of violence in the absence of sufficient support, while their precarious living conditions expose them to higher protection risks. Children, in particular, are increasingly threatened by malnutrition, disease, and loss of education.
The UNHCR welcomed the cooperation of Libyan authorities, which has facilitated access to affected areas, allowing the UNHCR and its partners to provide essential assistance to those in need. The organization called on the international community to provide 48 million to deliver life-saving assistance to 195,000 Sudanese refugees and the Libyan host communities.
