The European Commission is to increase emergency humanitarian funding for Libya by €2 million to help those Libyans who have been forced to leave their homes due to the escalating violence in the country. The aid will cover basic humanitarian assistance such as shelters, food, medical assistance, and psychological support. Part of the money will also cover heaters, insulation, and warm clothing as winter is approaching. Assistance is primarily targeted at the most vulnerable ones.
As EU Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management Christos Stylianides explained, “It is clear that there are huge needs and the emergency aid we are providing can be a lifeline to some of the most vulnerable families caught up in the conflict. The fighting has had a severe impact on the lives of civilians, with houses and infrastructure destroyed, basic services severely disrupted and shortages of medical supplies. People forced to leave areas of conflict are finding it hard to access food and basic needs – which is why the aid we are providing now is so crucial.”
Rough estimates speak about almost 400,000 people having been displaced due to ongoing violence in Libya since May this year. The political crisis, which is among the main drivers of the violence, has continued to deepen despite efforts to negotiate a ceasefire. Over the last three months, riots and fighting have spread to new parts of the country – from the East and the West also to the South. The deteriorating security situation has had a negative impact on the provision of humanitarian aid, prompting many international aid workers to flee the country, thus leaving Libyan staff to deal with the worsening situation by themselves.
