The European Commission has announced it will provide €6 million in humanitarian assistance to Libya as conflict continues in the country.
The new funding brings the EU’s total humanitarian aid contribution to Libya to €15 million between 2018 and 2018; since 2014, the EU has provided €44.3 million in humanitarian support to Libyan residents in need of help. The funds announced today will go towards shoring up Libya’s embattled healthcare sector, both by financing the training of medical staff and by providing medicines and equipment to underfunded hospital facilities; as well as supporting humanitarian projects which work towards protecting and caring for Libyan citizens.
Christos Stylianides, Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management, said: “The EU stands by the Libyan people who have suffered years of conflict and instability. Our new humanitarian assistance will provide access to food, clean water, education in emergencies and basic health care for Libyans most in need. It is paramount that all parties to the conflict adhere to International Humanitarian Law and allow humanitarian organisations to do their lifesaving job.”
In addition to allocating humanitarian assistance to Libya, the EU is working towards implementing 23 projects aimed at rebuilding infrastructure and facilities to meet the basic needs of Libya’s population, promoting healthy governance, civil society and socioeconomic development. The EU Trust Fund for Africa has provided an additional €318 million for the dual purposes of protecting Libyan migrants, refugees and displaced citizens; and aiding neighbouring communities affected by an influx of migrants from Libya.
Aid apportioned to Libya by the EU has enabled victims of the ongoing conflict to access essential healthcare services, from emergency war surgery and physical therapy to counselling for those affected by post-traumatic stress disorder and specialised care for survivors of gendered violence. Other humanitarian organisations supported by the EU have helped to rebuild schools and children’s services in the cities of Benghazi and Sirt, enabling thousands of Libyan children to receive both a necessary education and therapeutic support.
