More than half a million children in Libya need humanitarian assistance

Statement from UNICEF Regional Director, Geert Cappelaere, following his first visit to the country

10 August 2017- “Six years since the crisis began in Libya, over 550,000 children need assistance because of political instability, on-going conflict, displacement, and economic collapse. Heavy violence in some parts of the country has forced families to flee their homes. More than 80,000 children are internally displaced and migrant children in Libya are particularly vulnerable to abuse and exploitation, including in detention centres.

“Since 2011, UNICEF has been expanding its assistance to respond to children’s needs on the ground. More than 1.3 million children were vaccinated against polio last year. UNICEF and partners, including national institutions, were able to maintain nearly universal immunization coverage even when violence was at its peak. UNICEF has partnered with 28 municipalities across Libya under the “Together for Children Campaign” to support children’s basic rights.

“At a child friendly space where children play, learn and receive psychosocial support, boys and girls spoke of their dreams of living in peace and prosperity. We have to support each and every child in Libya – especially the most vulnerable – to reach their full potential. “In discussions with the authorities in Tripoli and Benghazi, UNICEF reaffirmed its commitment to provide all the support possible to reach children in need wherever they are in the country.

“Next October, UNICEF plans to have all its international staff operating full-time from Libya. UNICEF will further scale up its assistance to reach 1.5 million girls and boys and support strengthening of national institutions and civil society.

“UNICEF reiterates that the wellbeing of girls and boys in Libya should be a priority for authorities, civil society and the international community. “In the interest of children, UNICEF is calling for an immediate political solution to the crisis and an end to the violence.”

 Notes to the Editors

• In 2016, 20 attacks were recorded against health facilities, second only to Syria.

• Nearly 200,000 children in Libya are in need of safe drinking water while 315,000 need educational support.

• Across the country, 558 schools cannot be used because they are either destroyed, damaged or used to shelter internally displaced families.

• Since 2011, UNICEF has been implementing emergency response across the country including in hard-to-reach areas.

*In 2017, UNICEF provided 20,000 children with psycho social support and over 8,000 children were enrolled in remedial and catch up classes.

* Work ongoing with the Ministry of Health to vaccinate over 1.5 million children against Polio and Measles. UNICEF will procure and deliver Polio vaccines and support the communication plans.

For more information and interviews please contact:

Unicef UK Media Team, +44 (0)207 375 6030, [email protected]

About Unicef

Unicef is the world’s leading organisation for children, promoting the rights and wellbeing of every child, in everything we do. Together with our partners, we work in 190 countries and territories to translate that commitment into practical action, focusing special effort on reaching the most vulnerable and excluded children, to the benefit of all children, everywhere. Unicef UK raises funds to protect children in danger, transform their lives and build a safer world for tomorrow’s children. As a registered charity we raise funds through donations from individuals, organisations and companies and we lobby and campaign to keep children safe. Unicef UK also runs programmes in schools, hospitals and with local authorities in the UK. For more information please visit unicef.org.uk