The southern municipality of Al-Kufra in Libya has become the epicenter of a growing humanitarian crisis as it struggles to accommodate over 100,000 Sudanese refugees fleeing conflict in their homeland. The harsh winter has exacerbated an already desperate situation, with local and international assistance falling alarmingly short.
“The conditions for these displaced people worsen every day, especially now as the cold sets in,” said Al-Kufra Mayor Abdulrahman Aqoub in a recent interview with Al-Ahrar TV.
“We have received virtually no assistance—neither locally nor internationally—and the situation is becoming unbearable.”
Sudan’s civil conflict, which erupted in April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), has forced millions to flee their homes. Thousands have crossed Libya’s porous southern borders, with Al-Kufra serving as a major entry point due to its proximity to Sudan and Chad.
Despite this strategic importance, Al-Kufra lacks the infrastructure, resources, and financial support needed to manage such an influx. Aqoub disclosed that the municipality’s financial assistance from Libya’s divided governments has been meager, with only limited operational funds provided.
Adding to the frustration, Aqoub accused international organizations, including the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), of failing to act decisively. “The UN mission has done nothing to help on the ground,” he said, referencing discussions with Stephanie Khoury, Acting Head of UNSMIL, during her recent visit to Al-Kufra.
The immediate needs of the refugees are overwhelming. Basic necessities, including food, blankets, and medical care, are in dangerously short supply. Temporary shelters are overcrowded, and sanitary conditions are deteriorating, raising fears of disease outbreaks.
Humanitarian groups and local officials are issuing urgent calls for international intervention. They stress the need for immediate delivery of winter supplies, medical assistance, and long-term support to stabilize the situation and prevent further suffering.
“The world cannot turn a blind eye to what is happening in Al-Kufra,” Aqoub warned. “These people are vulnerable, exposed to hunger, illness, and freezing temperatures. Without swift action, their situation will only worsen.”
As the cold deepens and resources dwindle, the time for empty promises has long passed. The international community must act now to provide tangible, lifesaving aid to the thousands of displaced Sudanese who have found themselves stranded in Al-Kufra, caught between conflict and neglect.
