The US Agency for International Development (USAID) Office of Humanitarian Assistance has reported a significant increase in the number of refugees from Sudan fleeing to Libya. According to their recent update, there has been a 73% rise in Sudanese refugees arriving in Libya compared to the previous year.
USAID has taken proactive steps to assist these refugees. The Agency highlighted its ongoing efforts to provide necessary support. The agency has been collaborating closely with various partners to assess the immediate food needs of these vulnerable groups.
In coordination with the US State Department’s Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM), USAID is working to ensure that the most at-risk populations receive the aid they require. This coordinated effort aims to address the urgent needs of refugees who have been forced to flee their homes due to conflict and instability in Sudan.
The increase in refugee numbers underscores the growing humanitarian crisis and the need for sustained international support. Libya, already grappling with its own internal challenges, is now faced with the additional burden of supporting a significant influx of refugees. The collaborative efforts between USAID, PRM, and other humanitarian partners are crucial in providing the necessary relief and support to these displaced individuals.
USAID’s commitment to aiding Sudanese refugees in Libya reflects the broader international effort to address the humanitarian impacts of conflicts and displacement. By working with local and international partners, USAID aims to ensure that refugees receive adequate food, shelter, and medical care.
As the situation evolves, continuous assessment and adaptation of aid strategies are essential to meet the changing needs of the refugee population. The international community’s role in supporting these efforts is vital in alleviating the suffering of those affected by the ongoing crisis in Sudan.
Notably, Head of the Libyan Anti-Illegal Immigration Agency under the parliament-designate government, Nouri Al-Saadi, stated that approximately 500,000 Sudanese have fled to Libya due to the ongoing conflict in their country.
In an interview with Sputnik, Al-Saadi highlighted that during a recent visit to Kufra, he observed the influx of Sudanese refugees reaching between 400,000 to 500,000 individuals escaping the war.
He noted that most migrants entering Libya come from Chad, Sudan, Niger, and neighboring countries, with Sudan contributing the largest number. Over the past two months, more than 5,000 migrants have been repatriated from Libya to their home countries. This includes 2,987 Sudanese, 385 Nigeriens, 614 Chadians, 185 Somalis, 406 Eritreans, and 111 Ethiopians.
Al-Saadi criticized the European Union for not supporting border control efforts in Libya’s southeast and southwest regions, stating that EU assistance is limited to the Illegal Immigration Control Authority in Tripoli, under the government of Abdel-Hamid Dbaiba.
He further expressed disappointment with international organizations, including UN-affiliated bodies, for their insufficient support. He emphasized that the Sudanese crisis is not solely a Libyan issue, urging global responsibility for Sudanese refugees. According to Al-Saadi, the humanitarian aid provided by these organizations does not meet the scale of the crisis.
