The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Libya has stated that the spread of Covid-19 in Libya is worsening at an alarming rate compared to neighbouring countries. In an official report, the OCHA stated that the effort to stay home to save lives is not a luxury most Libyan can afford due to ongoing conflict and the internal security threats and political and economic crisis. The report stated that nearly four hundred thousand Libyans remain displaced as a result of the recent war in the country and added that the lack of basic services and continued power and water cuts that affect a third of the Libyan population make it impossible for people to practice simple but necessary measures. The report also pointed that since the start of the pandemic, the UN has supported the development of preparedness and immediate response plans together with the Libyan Government and partners with total funding of $46.7 million, while bolstering coordination among UN agencies, as well as international and local NGOs. The OCHA concluded that the UN will continue to support Libya’s national health and local institution to strengthen their systems to safeguard progress towards Sustainable Development Goals, including addressing stigma and discrimination arising from the spread of the virus.

Source: The North Africa Journal December 14, 2020 16:41 UTC