The Libyan southern city of Kufra continues to face mounting challenges as tens of thousands of refugees from Sudan pour in daily, fleeing conflict and instability.
According to Ibrahim Belhassan, the Director of the Emergency and Ambulance Service in Kufra, the refugee population in the city is now estimated at over 30,000, with families scattered across urban areas, surrounding farms, and makeshift shelters in over 50 different locations.
Belhassan highlighted the pressing humanitarian crisis as winter sets in, emphasizing the urgent need for essential supplies such as blankets, bedding, and other means of warmth to protect the refugees from the severe cold. These shortages exacerbate an already critical situation, with limited resources available to address the growing needs of the displaced population.
The city recently launched a vaccination campaign targeting all children in Kufra, including refugee children aged one to five, to prevent the spread of preventable diseases.
However, many refugees arrive with chronic illnesses or other serious medical conditions, requiring immediate attention. In such cases, individuals are often transferred to the Department of Combating Illegal Migration for further assistance and repatriation.
The ongoing conflict in Sudan has forced millions to flee their homes, creating a regional humanitarian crisis that places immense pressure on neighboring countries like Libya. Kufra, as a major transit point for refugees, has become a focal point of the crisis.
Despite local efforts, the sheer volume of arrivals has overwhelmed the city’s resources, highlighting the urgent need for coordinated international support to address the escalating refugee crisis.
As the situation worsens with the arrival of winter, the plight of Sudanese refugees in Kufra serves as a stark reminder of the broader challenges facing displaced populations across the region. Addressing these challenges requires immediate and sustained action from global and regional stakeholders to ensure that refugees receive the protection and support they desperately need.
