The spokesperson of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Babar Baloch, warned of the escalating humanitarian crisis in Libya in response to a surge in hostilities and the Covid-19 pandemic.
One person has died and ten have been infected with the virus in Libya, raising concerns about the ability of Libya’s already strained health services to respond, especially with the ongoing conflict.
In a press conference held on Friday in Geneva, Baloch said that over 300 Libyan civilians have been killed and 150,000 others displaced since April 2019, noting that the fighting has significantly escalated in the past week. The fighting has restricted the ability of tens of thousands of displaced people to return safely to their homes and forced them to seek cramped accommodation .
He also pointed out that UNHCR is supporting local healthcare services by providing ambulances, tent clinics and other services. This is in addition to raising public awareness among refugees, asylum seekers and nationals on the risks of Covid-19.
UNHCR has called on authorities to ensure access and integration of all population groups to health monitoring in its readiness, response and activities plans.
Baloch called for the systematic release of detainees, asylum seekers and refugees who are particularly vulnerable to the virus due to limited access to health services and the overcrowding of detention centers, which are located close to the front lines of the fighting.
The spokesperson confirmed that UNHCR is continuing its work in Libya to help provide protection and assistance to refugees, asylum seekers, and internally displaced people.
The delivery of aid has been severely hindered by the strict precautions set by the government to stop the spread of Covid-19 in Libya.