Refugee arrivals into Libya’s Al-Kufra have dropped sharply in recent months, according to the spokesperson for the municipal council, Abdullah Suleiman. He said the city had seen a notable decline after several voluntary return flights were organised under the supervision of the International Organization for Migration.
Suleiman told the programme Huna Libya on Al-Wasat TV that flows had decreased since June, particularly after forces took control of the border triangle with Sudan. He said the shift in military positions and changes in the Sudan conflict had reduced movement across the frontier.
He added that some refugees had been stranded in Al-Kufra since early 2024. Many are unable to return home because their towns were destroyed or lack essential services such as water and electricity. He noted that several families fear returning in the current conditions.
Humanitarian support has continued from various actors. Suleiman said assistance had been delivered repeatedly by the General Command forces, the Parliament-designate government, and international organisations. Agencies such as the World Health Organization and the International Medical Corps have provided medical support, while global relief programmes maintain a supply of food and other essentials.
The municipal council treats the situation primarily as a humanitarian issue. Suleiman said the council prioritises vulnerable groups, including women, children, the elderly, the sick and people with disabilities.
He highlighted significant solidarity from local residents. Families in Al-Kufra have offered food, shelter and support, often housing refugees on farms free of charge and waiving service fees. He said these initiatives had eased pressure on the city.
Suleiman said the council’s cooperation with international organisations had helped the city withstand the burden of hosting tens of thousands of displaced people over nearly two years. Despite its isolation and limited services, he said Al-Kufra remains stable and continues to manage the humanitarian challenge effectively.
