On Tuesday, the Libyan Ministry of Local Government in the Interim Government of National Unity (GNU) received a shipment of hygiene vehicles, as part of Italy’s “Solidarity Bridge 2” program.
The Italian government launched the “Solidarity Bridge” program in early 2018, through which it aims to provide support to areas affected by illegal migration. The program’s implementation is supervised by the Italian Embassy in Libya.
It is the first shipment, and the Ministry of Local Government is scheduled to start distributing the vehicles in the coming period. Other shipments are due to arrive soon, according to the ministry.
In July 2020, the ministry held a meeting with the Italian Embassy to assess the second phase of the Solidarity Bridge 2 program. The two parties agreed to “continue coordination and consultations and open new horizons to support the capabilities of municipalities in order to improve the provision of services to municipalities and citizens.”
In September, Italy’s Solidarity Bridge delivered medical equipment and generators to Libyan hospitals in Emsaed, Guba, Mrada, and Sebha, the Italian Embassy in Tripoli reported. The deliveries will support the urgent needs of the local population, it added.
This initiative is financed by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Migration Fund, and aims to deliver €10 million Euros worth of concrete and urgent supplies to 24 Libyan municipalities and local hospitals to support basic services in Libya. This is in coordination with the Libyan government, and its Ministries of Local Government and Health.