1,600 Sudanese Refugees Receive UN Aid in East Libya
The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has provided humanitarian assistance to more than 2,100 displaced people in Marj, a city in eastern Libya. The aid effort targeted Sudanese refugees and vulnerable Libyan families affected by the ongoing conflict in neighbouring Sudan.
According to UNHCR, over 1,600 Sudanese refugees who fled the war, along with 500 members of the Libyan host community, received vital supplies. Many of those displaced expressed a desire to return home, but ongoing violence and instability in Sudan have made that impossible.
The relief distribution included essential non-food items such as mattresses, blankets, plastic sheets, mats, buckets, soap, and hygiene kits. Additional support included baby kits and clothing kits to meet the basic needs of families living in temporary conditions.
The conflict in Sudan, which erupted in 2023, has forced hundreds of thousands of people to flee to neighbouring countries, including Libya. Many of the Sudanese refugees in Libya face uncertain futures, with limited access to education, healthcare, and employment opportunities. Eastern Libya, which has remained relatively stable compared to the west, continues to host a growing number of displaced people.
UNHCR stressed the importance of continued international support to address the growing humanitarian needs of refugees and displaced Libyan families alike. The agency continues to work with local partners and authorities to ensure aid reaches those most in need, despite limited funding and logistical challenges.
The distribution in Marj is part of UNHCR's broader efforts to assist displaced populations across Libya, particularly those impacted by regional conflicts. Tags: Al-MarjlibyamigrationSudanese RefugeesUNHCR
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Libya Review
3 hours ago
- Libya Review
UN Slams Libya over Abuse in Tripoli Detention Sites
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk has expressed deep shock over newly uncovered evidence of serious human rights violations in both official and unofficial detention facilities operated by the Stability Support Apparatus (SSA) in Tripoli, Libya. In a statement released this week, Türk called for the immediate closure of these sites, urging the Libyan authorities to launch independent, impartial, and transparent investigations into the reported abuses and to preserve all potential evidence in support of swift accountability. 'Our worst fears have been confirmed,' Türk said. 'Dozens of bodies have reportedly been found at these facilities. Those responsible for these atrocities must be brought to justice without delay, in accordance with international standards.' The findings align with previous reports issued by both the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) and the former UN Independent Fact-Finding Mission, which documented the existence of secret detention centers and the widespread abuse within them. Türk also called on Libyan authorities to grant UN investigators full access to the detention sites as part of the UN's mandate to document human rights violations across the country. In addition, the High Commissioner urged immediate and comprehensive investigations into the recent killing of the SSA's leader, as well as all violations committed by any actors, regardless of their political or military affiliations. He praised efforts by Libya's Presidential Council's Ceasefire Committee, facilitated by UNSMIL, to maintain the fragile ceasefire amid rising tensions in Tripoli following these revelations. The SSA, a powerful armed group nominally affiliated with Libya's outgoing Government of National Unity, has long faced allegations of extrajudicial practices, arbitrary detention, and abuse. Tags: Detention SitesHuman Rightslibyatripoli
Libya Review
3 hours ago
- Libya Review
Egypt & UAE Reaffirm Commitment to Libyan Stability
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed discussed the ongoing crisis in Libya during a high-level meeting held in Abu Dhabi, as part of Sisi's official visit to the United Arab Emirates. According to a statement released by Egypt's Presidency, the two leaders exchanged views on the situation in Libya, alongside other regional files including Syria, Lebanon, Sudan, Yemen, and Somalia. The talks underscored the importance of protecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of these nations. Regarding Libya, both leaders reaffirmed the need to support efforts that preserve the country's unity and ensure the withdrawal of foreign fighters and mercenaries. They highlighted that any political settlement must be Libyan-led and Libyan-owned, with international backing that respects the aspirations of the Libyan people for peace, stability, and legitimate governance. The joint discussions come amid renewed international calls for unifying Libya's divided institutions and conducting long-delayed national elections. Egypt and the UAE have both played influential roles in Libya's political file in recent years, often supporting competing factions across the country. Sisi's visit also focused on strengthening bilateral relations between Cairo and Abu Dhabi, with particular emphasis on enhancing economic, trade, and investment ties. The two presidents praised the depth of the historical partnership between their countries and agreed to deepen cooperation in key sectors. On the wider regional front, the leaders stressed the urgency of halting hostilities in Gaza and called for an immediate ceasefire, along with the exchange of prisoners and unrestricted delivery of humanitarian aid. They reiterated their support for a two-state solution as the only viable path to lasting peace in the Middle East. The visit reaffirms Egypt's and the UAE's alignment on several critical regional files, with Libya remaining a shared strategic concern due to its proximity to Egypt and the broader implications of its instability on regional security. Tags: EgyptlibyaLibyan CrisisUAE
Libya Review
9 hours ago
- Libya Review
UNSMIL: Libyan Journalists Face Rising Online Abuse
Libyan journalists are increasingly falling victim to online harassment, undermining their ability to report freely on corruption, human rights violations, and other critical issues, according to participants in a recent discussion hosted by the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL). The session, held last Thursday as part of UNSMIL's Basira professional development programme and co-organised with the Mission's Human Rights Section, brought together 31 journalists from across Libya. The discussion is intended to help shape a forthcoming workshop scheduled for June 19, led by a digital safety expert from the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), an international NGO. During the session, journalists shared personal stories of online abuse, highlighting its various forms, frequency, and underlying motives. A post-event poll revealed that 92% of attendees had experienced online harassment. Journalist Iman bin Amer stressed the urgency of addressing digital harassment, noting that it threatens freedom of expression and pushes journalists toward self-censorship. 'Ignoring the issue means silencing free voices,' she said. The most common forms of abuse included offensive comments and messages on social platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. Participants also warned of manipulated media, including AI-generated and edited images or videos, used to defame and intimidate journalists. Several noted that harassment often escalates to death threats or physical assaults, with some attacks appearing to be coordinated smear campaigns. One journalist, who was dismissed from his job following a social media attack, said, 'They damaged my reputation so severely that I ended up under investigation by state intelligence. The video is still on YouTube, and years later, it resurfaces every time I post anything.' The survey also highlighted that the harassment is often driven by the topic of coverage, the journalist's gender, age, or background. Political and human rights reporting frequently draws targeted attacks. One journalist recalled being accused of promoting 'foreign agendas' for covering gender-based violence. However, even non-political reporting was not immune. A journalist said he was targeted after broadcasting a sports match, accused of 'supporting the rival team.' Another was harassed for covering flood victims in Derna. Women journalists reported especially gendered abuse, stating that nearly every piece of content they posted invited harassment. 'Being a female journalist in Libyan society is extremely difficult,' said one participant. 'They attack your honour and make everything personal.' According to UNSMIL, 86% of women journalists said the abuse affected their work, while 30% of all participants said they reduced their online presence to avoid backlash. Another 30% admitted to softening their tone or avoiding sensitive topics entirely. Journalist Mohamed Fawzi called for urgent reforms: 'Journalists need a safe space to work freely and with integrity. Without that, there is no free press.' Tags: JournalismlibyaMediaOnline Abuseununsmil
