On Saturday, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reported that approximately 313,000 Sudanese refugees have crossed into Libya since the outbreak of conflict in Sudan in April 2023.
This large-scale displacement has added pressure on Libya’s already fragile infrastructure and humanitarian systems.
According to UNHCR’s 2025 Refugee Response Plan, the number of Sudanese refugees in need of assistance in Libya is expected to rise to 621,000 by the end of 2025.
This represents a 40% increase compared to previous projections, with 446,000 additional individuals identified as needing urgent humanitarian support since November 2024.
The World Food Programme (WFP), which has been providing vital food and cash assistance to Sudanese refugees in Libya, has also issued an urgent appeal for $13.5 million in funding. Without this financial support, the agency warns it will be unable to maintain its operations or deliver essential services to the growing refugee population.
In April 2025 alone, the WFP reached 58,456 Sudanese refugees, distributing 602 metric tons of food and providing $64,650 in cash transfers to support their basic needs. The agency emphasized that it requires an additional $5 million to sustain its programs from June through November 2025.
The escalating refugee crisis is stretching Libya’s limited capacity to absorb and support new arrivals. The vast majority of refugees are entering through Libya’s southern border, many in remote areas with limited access to services.
Aid agencies have repeatedly warned that unless additional support is mobilized, many of these refugees will face food insecurity, lack of shelter, and health risks.
UNHCR and WFP are urging the international community to step up support for Libya and the displaced Sudanese population, calling for solidarity and immediate action to avoid further humanitarian deterioration.
