The Ministry of Local Government In Libya claimed that the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), was “involved in espionage and recruitment operations.”
In an internal circular, the Ministry also warned mayors and heads of municipal councils against dealing with ICRC Libya, “for the public interest, and so as not to facilitate their illegal actions within the country.”
The circular, dated 17 November said that the “Attorney Generals’ investigations proved the Red Cross mission’s involvement in espionage and recruitment operations, contrary to its declared competence.”
The document has been circulated on social media, but Libya Review could not yet verify the authenticity of the circular.
Last month, the ICRC announced that “more than 770 low-income families received food assistance in Wadi Al-Hayat, and Wadi Etba, south of Libya.” It added that this was implemented with the help of the Libyan Red Crescent (LRC).
In April, the ICRC said in a report the limited renewable water resources, coupled with drought and poor soil, severely limited production has forced the country to import about 75% of the food required to meet local needs.
Productive and sustainable farming is one of the most powerful tools to end extreme poverty, but the Libyan conflict has eroded these efforts. As well as forcing many farmers to flee their homes, and abandon their lands.
Climate change is subjecting Libya to extreme climate events, such as increased and more severe sand and dust storms, droughts, and increased temperatures. Years of renewed conflicts have weakened the country’s capacity to adapt. Resources needed to mitigate climate risks are being shifted to deal with short and long-term consequences of the conflict.
It added that the conflict has left the country vulnerable to climate variability, because of its low adaptive capacity. This is likely to increase the impacts of natural hazards on agricultural production
