Libya is facing a mounting humanitarian crisis as more than 210,000 Sudanese refugees have poured into the country since conflict erupted in Sudan in April 2023, according to a new report released Tuesday by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
The influx has placed immense strain on Libya’s already fragile infrastructure and social services, exposing the limitations of the country’s capacity to manage such a large-scale displacement.
“Since the outbreak of fighting in Sudan, over 210,000 Sudanese have arrived in Libya,” the UNHCR report notes, underscoring the urgent need for coordinated international support.
Of these, 39,099 were already registered prior to the escalation, bringing the official number of Sudanese refugees under UNHCR’s care in Tripoli to 58,649.
In the eastern region of Koufra, local authorities report issuing more than 125,000 health certificates to some 173,000 arrivals crossing the border.
The influx remains steady, with an estimated 400 to 500 individuals entering the country each day.
The report highlights the challenges posed by irregular migration routes and the lack of centralized data systems, particularly across Libya’s porous borders with Chad, Egypt, and Sudan, making it difficult to verify the true scale of displacement.
UNHCR warns of a rapidly deteriorating humanitarian situation, citing urgent needs in healthcare, potable water, sanitation, food security, shelter, and cash assistance.
“Many of the refugees require immediate medical attention,” the agency states, adding that pressure on water infrastructure is increasing the risk of disease outbreaks.
While Libyan authorities continue to make efforts to provide access to essential services such as education and healthcare, the UN agency has called on the international community to step up its assistance—particularly to coastal municipalities where large numbers of refugees are now concentrated.
Source: apanews
