The United Nations’ Secretary-General Spokesman, Stephane Dujarric, stated that Libya’s healthcare system has been badly affected by the closure of a large portion of its facilities. This is due to a lack of resources, and staff contracting COVID-19, in addition to fuel shortages and power cuts taking a major toll on the situation.
Dujarric added that a recent rapid survey carried out in Tripoli, found that of 92 primary healthcare facilities that were functioning before the pandemic, only 54 remain operational.
He pointed out that humanitarian organisations, across the country, have reached nearly 268,000 people. This is two thirds of their overall target, with humanitarian assistance since the beginning of the year.
Notably the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said that its partners are concerned about the fragile situation, and a possible humanitarian disaster in the North African country. The organisation added that the lives of more than 125,000 people in and around Sirte remain at great risk.
COVID-19 cases have increased exponentially across Libya. It currently registers 46,676 cases, with 20,310 active, 25,685 recoveries, and 681 deaths.