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Regional Flash Appeal for the Libya Crisis

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  1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The clearest humanitarian needs in the Libyan crisis to date stem from the outflow of people fleeing the conflict that began in mid-February. So far, these are mostly migrant workers of whom Libya has been host to some 2.5 million.

As of 5 March, this outflow amounts to 191,748 people who have gone mostly to Tunisia (104,275), Egypt (84,970) and Niger (2,500), with many more possibly to come. While most migrant workers from contiguous countries who arrive at the border generally need only a few days of humanitarian aid while in transit to their homes of origin, more serious problems are becoming evident. Assistance for migrants from third countries, for whom documentation and transport home takes longer to arrange, and who therefore must be accommodated longer, is becoming urgent. There are likely to be many more migrants within Libya who want to leave but have not managed to make it to a border or who are constrained from crossing. Migrant workers lack many of the coping mechanisms and community support that affected Libyans have. Although the local communities are providing them with assistance, the cold weather is affecting their health and food supplies are running low. In addition, certain migrants may have reason to fear persecution, for example migrants from sub-Saharan Africa who may be accused of being mercenaries in the pay of the Government.

Inside Libya fighting continues, mostly in the west where the government retains control but where the security situation is deteriorating, particularly in Tripoli. Reports indicate that government militia have blocked movement into and out of the capital city. Fighting in the west of Libya has raised serious protection concerns, for Libyans and non-Libyans equally (for example migrant workers and refugees trapped in Tripoli and unable to flee).

In the eastern part of the country, the situation is reported to be calm with, for example, business at near-usual levels in Benghazi, and some humanitarian access. Rapid appraisals and various reports from eastern Libya indicate no clear humanitarian needs aside from medical treatment of those injured in the fighting. Medical facilities have the capacity to respond to current health needs in the area, though they are facing shortages in medical supplies and drugs. A camp has been established at Benghazi port where some 8,000 foreigners await evacuation. Across Libya, commercial and household stocks of basic commodities currently appear adequate, but may run low as the conflict continues.

The appeal's strategic objectives are: 1. Ensure that migrants who leave Libya for Tunisia, Egypt and Niger receive the full range of humanitarian relief, and to transport them to their countries of origin promptly to minimize the support needed while they wait for onward transport at the borders; 2. Within opposition-controlled parts of Libya, to assess, analyze and respond to current and imminent humanitarian needs; 3. Devise measures to obtain humanitarian access to people in the governmentcontrolled areas; 4. Establish capacity and preparedness for a worst-case scenario of increased outflow of people from Libya and/or emergence of significant humanitarian needs within Libya.

The aid agencies have based this appeal on a short-term planning scenario projecting up to 400,000 people leaving Libya (including the 191,000 who have left to date) and another 600,000 people inside Libya expected to need humanitarian aid to varying degrees. This Flash Appeal requires US$ 160 million to achieve its objectives over a three-month planning and budgeting horizon. Donors should contact directly the 17 aid organizations in this appeal (ACF-Spain, CARE International, FAO, Handicap International, IMC, IOM, IRC, Islamic Relief Worldwide, OCHA, Save the Children, UNDSS, UNFPA, UNHCR, UNICEF, UNOSAT, WFP, and WHO).

The United Nations has named a Humanitarian Coordinator for the Libyan crisis, who will work closely with the United Nations Resident Coordinators for Tunisia, Egypt and Niger regarding operations along Libya's borders to assist and repatriate people leaving Libya. Sectoral leadership is proceeding along cluster lines, though the IASC has not yet invoked formal cluster responsibilities. Under this coordination structure, the appeal and its underlying plan will be revised soon, probably in two weeks, as the situation evolves, more information emerges and greater aid capacity is established. This appeal and its underlying action plan will be revised in two weeks to reflect the evolving situation, emerging information and mounting capacity.

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