A political agreement in 2015 helped to establish a Government of National Accord (GNA) in Libya. But despite the GNA’s presence, Libya is essentially governed by a mosaic of fragmented authorities, entities and tribal alliances. This hinders the potential for a well-organised political system, security apparatus, and civil-service to provide the essential services which communities need to rebuild their lives. The presence of around 2,000 armed groups creates an even more complex mosaic of authority in which the humanitarian community has to work.
The availability and affordability of food, fuel, water and sanitation, electricity and medical supplies have decreased and the provision of health care and public services continues to decline. This is further compounded by the desperate situation of many migrants and people in need of international protection such as refugees and asylum-seekers. In addition, there are serious protection concerns, linked to the existing conflict and insecurity, including the presence of unexploded ordnance and mines and gender-based violence.
The humanitarian community faces exceptional challenges in Libya. The Peer-2-Peer support mission worked closely with the leadership of the operation to develop an action plan that identifies ways and means of addressing the significant challenges that impede the delivery of essential assistance, and impede opportunities to tackle the migration crisis that has become synonymous with Libya.
The HCT recognised the importance of addressing the evacuation status and re-orienting the operation’s centre of gravity inside Libya; identified the need to better clarify the nature of the humanitarian crisis and produce a narrative on highly visible mixed migration and detention issues and how they relate to humanitarian, stabilisation, recovery and development operations. The team committed to working together pro-actively on a number of issues to strengthen access to support humanitarian delivery, and establish more predictable coordination arrangements with authorities inside Libya.
The Humanitarian Coordinator is requested to provide an Update Report on progress against the Action Plan, to the Emergency Relief Coordinator (ERC) within six months of the support mission.