The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reported that 143,000 Libyans remain Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), while 688,121 others have returned from displacement.
UNHCR indicated in its monthly report that 43,000 refugees and asylum-seekers left the country, as of mid-December 2022.
It also said it has helped 24,788 migrants, who disembarked in Libya. It noted that it will continue, alongside its partners to provide aid and services to some of the most vulnerable refugees and asylum seekers in Libya, with annual funding estimated at $70 million dollars in 2022.
Michele Servadei, UNICEF Libya Representative said last month that they estimated that 32,000 children are severely, and acutely malnourished. “We could treat them all and build system capacity to screen and treat with about $3.5 million dollars. We need your support.”
In a thread on its Twitter account, UNICEF Libya noted that the first nutrition assessment was conducted to determine the nutritional status of mothers and children under the age of five.
“The Bureaus of Statistics and Census and Primary Health Care Institute, supported by UNICEF Libya, the Action Against Hunger, and the World Food Programme (WFP) concluded the efforts in December.”
“UNICEF Libya presented the preliminary results of the National SMART Nutrition Survey, together with government key partners: Ministry of Planning, Ministry of Health, Primary Health Care Institute (PHCI), Bureau of Statistics and Census (BSC),” it added.
According to UNICEF, the findings of the assessment will make it easier to establish a program in Libya that is based on evidence, to prevent all types of malnutrition, and achieve goals related to national and global agendas for nutrition and wellness.
Libya has been in chaos since a NATO-backed uprising toppled longtime leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.