LIBYA
INTERSOS INTERVENTION
In Libya INTERSOS runs 2 centers for vulnerable children in Tripoli and Sebah. The projects locations, therefore, are easy to reach by the staff, even though road blockage and restriction of movements imposed by the government created several problems for the beneficiaries to reach the INTERSOS centers and for the staff to reach locations where internally displaced people live and migrants schools (in Tripoli). So Baity centre in Tripoli closed its doors and immediately started to work on alternative ways to deliver the education activities: set up of online classes and distribution of material for children unable to access online education, coupled with COVID-19 awareness sessions. As for Sebha Baity Centre, there has been a slow resumption of the furnishing of the Centre. Our teams also conducted health screenings for children in a camp for internally displaced persons, together with awareness raising activities on COVID-19. During the first week of September, in-person activities within the Baity Centres of both Tripoli and Sebha have resumed. Tripoli Baity Centre resumed in-person activities for children aged 13-18 on the 13th of September, while Baity Centre Sabha officially opened its doors to beneficiaries on the 6th of September. In-person activities though still take place along the online and distance learning activities, to ensure that all necessary COVID protocols are applied and effective. The Whatsapp and Messenger groups established at the outbreak of the pandemic, in fact, are kept open as backup online groups, for children to be able to refer to peers and teachers if needed.
HIGHLIGHTS
1.393
people reached by risk communication and community engagement activities and hygiene and prevention sessions
CONTEXT
Throughout September the number of positive cases for COVID-19 has increased, probably also due to the high number of tests carried out. The Libyan National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) reported over 34,000 confirmed cases in the country. Libya is facing persistent electricity shortages that continue to severely impact the proper functioning of health facilities, particularly the medical centers dedicated to COVID-19 testing or equipped with mechanical ventilation machines. The Greater Tripoli area continues to be the epicentre of the pandemic, accounting for an average of 60-70% of the total daily cases recorded in the country in the month of September. The southern region has been particularly hit by acute and repetitive power shortages with, in certain cases, complete blackouts for days, that affects detection centers ability to conduct tests. Libyan Maritime, Land and Air Border have been closed throughout the month of September. UN flights are the only ones that can bring passengers in the country. Throughout this month, several cities faced protests from the community against the corruption and poor services which have led to people’s basic and essential everyday needs not being met.