UNHCR scales up response for Sudanese refugees arriving in Libya amid growing humanitarian needs

GENEVA – UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, calls for strengthened financial support to address rising needs of Sudanese refugees arriving in Libya as numbers increase and temperatures cool. 

Since the start of the year, the number of Sudanese refugees seeking safety in Libya has doubled, with an estimated 400 arrivals in the country daily.  The Sudan crisis has driven large-scale displacement across the region, with 8.4 million people internally displaced in Sudan and 3.1 million Sudanese refugees in neighbouring countries, including an estimated 210,000 in Libya. 

UNHCR is present in Alkufra, the main entry point from Sudan, providing lifesaving assistance to refugees in support of the local authorities and host communities. This includes strengthening access to healthcare, improving living conditions through the distribution of relief supplies, and strengthening access to documentation provided by local authorities to improve freedom of movement and protection. 

Refugees and host communities in remote regions like Alkufra face particularly harsh conditions. Food prices in Alkufra are 19 per cent higher than the national average due to disrupted supply chains, rising demand and fuel shortages, all worsened by the ongoing war in Sudan. The increased cost of living adds to the challenges, with many refugees struggling to survive in substandard living conditions. Urgent assistance is needed, including blankets, warm clothing and reinforced shelter materials to help refugees endure the winter period. 

UNHCR has scaled up its response to address the rapidly growing needs of those newly arrived. Some 60,000 refugees have received critical relief items including mattresses, blankets, kitchen sets, solar lamps and personal hygiene kits. Additionally, UNHCR has supported 16 clinics in Alkufra, Benghazi and Tripoli with critical medicine and medical supplies, rehabilitated several schools and hospitals, and engaged directly with the Sudanese refugees in the country to identify and address their specific needs. 

“Besides the commitment by the Libyan authorities and communities to support Sudanese fleeing conflict, additional support from the international community is needed to strengthen access to food, clean water, health and education,” said Aseer Al-Madaien, UNHCR’s Chief of Mission in Libya. 

With more refugees arriving every day from Sudan and resources overstretched, UNHCR calls on the international community to extend critical support to Libya’s humanitarian efforts to assist Sudanese refugees. This will be essential to expanding activities across Libya, especially support to health centres in Alkufra, and improved living conditions and assistance to meet the needs of the most at-risk refugees. 

“Refugees in Libya have endured immense hardship on their journey here,” said Al-Madaien. “As we enter a new year, we must act swiftly to prevent further suffering and protect lives.” 

UNHCR is leading the interagency response to the Sudanese crisis in Libya. As part of that response, UNHCR is seeking $22 million to respond to the estimated needs of 449,000 refugees and host communities by the end of 2025. 

For more information, please contact:

• Sanne Biesmans: [email protected], +218 ‪91 163 34 19 | +32 485194949 (WhatsApp)