Libya: Interagency Rapid Assessment
Publisher: IOM, UNHCR, UNICEF, UNSMIL and WFP
Date: 2014
Topics: Assessment, Basic Services, Humanitarian Assistance
Countries: Libya
The political crisis and escalation of violence in Libya since May 2014 has led to civilian casualties, massive displacement as well as the destruction of public infrastructure and the disruption of basic services and social protection systems. Humanitarian community estimates that two million people, a third of the Libya population, may have been affected, and close to four-hundred thousand people are displaced as a result of the conflict.
An interagency rapid assessment was carried out by IOM, UNHCR, UNICEF, UNSMIL and WFP from November to December 2014 in Libya to fill the critical information gap for the agencies to respond to the crisis. The assessment was implemented by JMW Consulting with its local partner Diwan Market Research. The overall coordination of the assessment was led by WFP. The assessment covered a total of six locations across the country, focusing on the population who have been directly affected by the conflict (IDPs, returnees), as well as vulnerable population (migrant workers, refugees/asylum seekers).
The crisis has had a significant impact on the lives and livelihoods among the affected population. Out of the total population of 6.25 million, close to 400 thousand people have been displaced as of November 2014. While many were displaced from September to November due to the escalation of the conflict, some have returned to their place of origin. The country hosts refugees/asylum seekers mostly from sub-Saharan Africa and in addition from Syria lately. As of July 2014, 37,000 refugees and asylum seekers are registered with UNHCR Libya. IOM estimates that there are more than 200,000 migrant workers in Libya, mostly from Egypt and sub-Saharan Africa.