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Compliance Risk Assessment Framework in Libyan Arab Jamahiriya

Unrest and Displacement in North Africa and the Middle East

A recent surge in unrest across North Africa and the Middle East has led to widespread disruptions in social services, resulting in mass population movements in Libya. The humanitarian community is bracing for further displacement in the coming weeks as the situation remains unclear.

Migrant Worker Displacement

According to estimates, approximately 1.5 million migrant workers from neighboring countries are attempting to return home, with:

  • 1 million Egyptians
  • 80,000 Pakistanis
  • 59,000 Sudanese among those affected

Despite active repatriation efforts, bottlenecks on borders have created delays in onward transportation of workers to their home countries.

Border Crossings and Humanitarian Response

As of March 5, over 200,000 people had left Libya, crossing into:

  • Egypt
  • Tunisia
  • Niger (with a further 3,000 entering)

The Ras Adjir border crossing between Libya and Tunisia has seen thousands attempting to enter Tunisia, straining capacity at Tunisian border authorities.

Public Health Concerns

The risk of public health crises is high among both indigenous Libyans and migrant workers, who are vulnerable to:

  • Violence
  • Lack of access to healthcare
  • Interruptions in treatment of chronic disease

Communicable disease transmission risks are currently low but dynamic, dependent on the length of the crisis and access to basic necessities like:

  • Food
  • Shelter
  • Water
  • Sanitation
  • Healthcare

United Nations Response

A United Nations inter-agency rapid assessment mission is being mobilized to conduct a needs assessment in eastern Libya.

Civil Society and Volunteer Efforts

Efforts by Tunisian authorities, civil society, and volunteer organizations are meeting demand for:

  • Food
  • Water

Improved sanitation facilities are urgently needed, however.

Emergency Disease Surveillance System

In related news, an emergency disease surveillance system has been established in Tunisia to monitor the health status of refugees from Libya and detect and control potential outbreaks.