Influx of Sudanese into Libya amidst warnings of crisis
July 11, 2024 (AL KUFRA) – The influx of Sudanese refugees fleeing to Libya has prompted warnings of a humanitarian disaster, if aid is not urgently provided.
In Al Kufra, a sparsely populated border region that is predominantly desert, it is estimated that the total number of Sudanese refugees is more than 45,000.
A report Sudan Tribune obtained says a team from the International Medical Corps (IMC) has reportedly been conducting health consultations at seven out of the identified 11 camp-like settings where internally displaced persons are staying, and plans to support the remaining camps throughout the rest of this month.
The camps, according to IMC, received approximately 800 new arrivals per day.
Among the refugees, needs for health and mental health services, food, shelter, household goods for the homeless, and logistical support are urgently required.
Working in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, IMC team continued to deliver emergency and primary healthcare consultations to the Sudanese population, managing up to 80 consultations daily. Since their deployment, the team has reportedly conducted 1,046 consultations across all of the identified locations.
The team is distributing essential medications to patients at identified locations, especially to those with chronic conditions such as diabetes and hypertension.
In mid-April 2023, clashes erupted in multiple cities across Sudan. Since then, some 10 million people have been displaced from their homes, including more than 2 million who have crossed into neighboring countries.
Meanwhile, amid a surge in arrivals of Sudanese people fleeing the escalating conflict in Darfur and heading towards Libya, the European Union is allocating Euros 500,000 in humanitarian funding to the World Health Organization (WHO).
This fund, it said, will provide primary healthcare to the most vulnerable people.
Currently, there are over 1,200 Sudanese individuals entering Libya daily from Al Kufra. This number represents a six-fold increase compared to December 2023.
Also worth noting is that almost half of these arrivals are women and children.
These new arrivals join the already existing 40,000 Sudanese people who are scattered throughout Southeast Libya, having fled the conflict in their country.
With EU funds, a statement extended to Sudan Tribune noted, WHO will be dispatching medical teams, which will include mental health specialists, as well as providing kits and equipment to reinforce health services in six primary healthcare facilities.
Additionally, mobile clinics will be deployed to directly provide medical treatment to the vulnerable Sudanese. However, the focus of this humanitarian intervention will reportedly be the border areas, which have been most affected by the growing number of vulnerable Sudanese fleeing the conflict that started in 2023.
This emergency intervention, funded by the EU, reportedly aims to reach up to 160,000 vulnerable individuals, including displaced people and Libyans alike.
(ST)