UN seeks $313m to help 1m people in Libya

UN Special Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) has launched an appeal to raise $313 million to help one million Libyans who are in desperate need of aid.

In collaboration with 21 international and local organisations and NGO’s, the Humanitarian Response Plan 2018 consists of 71 projects focusing on three key areas: protecting civilians’ human rights, creating access to basic services for the country’s most in need and strengthening humanitarian responses.

The appeal was launched at the Corinthia Hotel in the capital Tripoli which the UNSMIL chief Ghassan Salame attended along with his deputy Maria Ribeiro, Presidency Council head Fayez Al-Sarraj and his deputy Ahmed Maetig.

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During the appeal, the PC said it would provide $5 million towards the Response Plan. The aid will target mainly the internally displaced, the most vulnerable non-displaced Libyans, migrants, refugees and asylum-seekers.

The difficulties people in Libya face in providing for their basic needs are real and we all need to be aware of the human cost of inaction

said Ribeiro.

“In my interactions with Libyan men, women and children I see people who want to feel safe, have their rights respected and know that they do not have to live from day to day.”

“The 2018 Humanitarian Response Plan for Libya is being launched at a time when efforts are needed more than ever to address the challenges of restoring stability in Libya,” Al-Sarraj added.

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According to the UNSMIL, the availability of food, fuel, water and sanitation, electricity and medical supplies have decreased as well as health care and public services which continue to decline adding to the worsening humanitarian situation.

“We are investing all UN competencies – humanitarian, development, human rights and political – to improve the living conditions of Libyans,” Salame added.

Last year, the Response Plan appealed for $151 million to help 540,000 Libyans living in the country’s worsening security situation which has seen an increase in targeted attacks and summary executions.