Around 50 Sudanese refugees, including women and children, were rescued in the desert south of Kufra, Libya, after being stranded without assistance. The operation was carried out by the Emergency and Ambulance Services in Kufra, according to a statement posted on their official Facebook page.
The group was discovered on Thursday morning by the Kufra branch of the Illegal Immigration Control Department. They were found in the remote area of Siouf Boufatma, approximately 450 kilometres south of Kufra, where they had been left without shelter or resources in extreme desert conditions.
Local officials have expressed increasing concern about the growing number of displaced Sudanese arriving in the region due to the ongoing conflict in Sudan. On Wednesday, the spokesperson for the Kufra Municipal Council, Abdullah Suleiman, called for the reopening of the Sudanese consulate in the city to address the mounting administrative and humanitarian challenges.
Suleiman noted that Kufra currently hosts around 60,000 Sudanese refugees, making it one of the Libyan cities most affected by the influx. He highlighted that many of these individuals suffer from accidents, illnesses, and even death, often without access to proper medical or legal support.
The absence of a diplomatic presence has left many refugees vulnerable, prompting local authorities to urge Sudan to reinstate a formal consulate. Officials argue that such a step is essential to provide legal representation and protect the rights of those fleeing violence.
The latest rescue operation underscores the urgent need for coordinated international support and a sustainable humanitarian response to the ongoing refugee crisis in southern Libya.
