The United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA) said it “aims to support a resilient future, while harnessing opportunities and ensuring rights and choices are accessible for all women and girls.”
On the Anniversary of World Population Day, UNFPA said the “decade-long conflict and insecurity compounded by COVID-19 has given rise to stark inequalities, resulting in a meltdown of socio-economic indicators in Libya.”
“Despite challenges, we stand to provide uninterrupted reproductive and maternal health (RH), and gender-based violence (GBV) services to people. Especially women and girls, including those in need of humanitarian assistance through our integrated response mechanism,” it said in a statement on Monday.
“We are striving to bring youth into the center stage, by imparting life skills, and increasing their access to livelihood and peacebuilding opportunities. So that the foundations of resilience and sustainability could be laid down,” UNFPA Libya representative, Samir Anouti said.
Libya is going through the most testing times in its modern history, with its population facing multifaceted challenges requiring international support.
“The support of donors and the international community is crucial, as we are gearing towards establishing solid footings for a long-term sustainability and resilient services structure for the Libyan population. The funding for our programmes in Libya is key for us to capitalize and nurture the productive partnership we established with the Libyan authorities,” Anouti added.
In the wake of conflict and instability, the shortage of specialized services and the lack of trust in existing ones has further aggravated the situation. “However, UNFPA, while working closely with the government and other partners; and with the support of donors, continues to deliver RH, GBV and youth services supporting Libyan institutions,” the statement said.
“While UNFPA continues to provide technical support to Libyan institutions, it works with different ministries and partners to scale up the quality of care and maternal and social protection services,” it said.
Through its reproductive and maternal health program, UNFPA Libya operates several mobile health units. It provides critical commodities and capacity building for health systems, in collaboration with the health authorities.
The UNFPA Libya programme has delivered multi-sectoral services with the support of the European Union, Japan, Denmark, Canada, France, Italy, Catalonia, Barcelona City Council, UNTFHS, and UN Peace Building Fund. As well as in close collaboration with its Libyan counterparts, and civil society organizations.