Africa

Libya

Health
Mental health & psychosocial support
Water, sanitation & hygiene

2017

mission start date

national staff

expatriate staff

12 848

people supported

2017

mission start date

national staff

expatriate staff

12 848

people supported

Context

The fall of the Gaddafi regime in 2011 and the civil war from 2014 to 2020 have plunged the country into an unprecedented political, security, economic and humanitarian crisis. Marked by a political separation, with the Government of National Unity in the West opposed to the Tobruk government in the East, the Libyan state no longer has the capacity to provide access to basic services to its population, whose living conditions are increasingly deteriorating.

On September 10, 2023, storm Daniel brought heavy rain, flash floods and strong winds. In Derna, two dams collapsed, washing away entire districts of the city. Several thousand people are missing and tens of thousands have been displaced to neighboring regions.

Moreover, Libya remains both a major destination and a transit country for many migrants, refugees and asylum seekers. Instability throughout the region continues to drive these people to undertake dangerous journeys to Libya and beyond. The majority of these people are in urgent need of access to health, food, water and protection services.

Our approach
Description of the mission

Première Urgence Internationale has been operating in Libya since 2017, particularly in the Benghazi and coastal areas. Since 2019, we have also opened a base in Al Kufrah, in the southeast of the country. Today, the mission has around 60 employees.

Throughout its seven years of experience in the country, Première Urgence Internationale has developed strong relationships with local authorities and communities in the coastal area of eastern Libya and in the remote region of Al Kufrah. Première Urgence Internationale is recognized as one of the key health NGOs by the Libyan authorities and population.

Première Urgence Internationale
in action

Première Urgence Internationale is recognized as a major player in healthcare in eastern Libya thanks to its actions in the Benghazi region and Al Kufrah district since 2017. Activities help to strengthen the resilience of the most vulnerable populations by working to improve their access to essential services, primarily comprehensive, quality healthcare services, as well as water, sanitation and hygiene.

Following Storm Daniel, we set up an emergency response plan in the districts of Benghazi, Al Marj, Al Jebel Al Akhdar and Derna, to support populations heavily impacted by the floods. The deployment of mobile clinics, the provision of essential medical equipment and the construction/rehabilitation of water points are Première Urgence Internationale’s key actions in these areas.

Camille SAULNIER

Libya Head of Mission © Première Urgence Internationale

“I’ve been working for the mission for over 4 years now, and I can testify to the incredible commitment of the Première Urgence Internationale team in Libya, always doing its best to meet the needs of the most vulnerable populations living in Libya, while at the same time supporting the strengthening of state services for access to health and basic services such as water and energy.”