Where We Work

Libya

Flooding in Libya

Providing healthcare & clean water

Since the outbreak of war in Libya in early 2011, the country has faced ongoing economic and political instability, and fighting between violent militias. Shortly after conflict broke out, International Medical Corps immediately deployed teams to Libya to provide country-wide emergency medical services, train health workers and deliver vital medicines and supplies.

Today, continued armed conflict and political instability have left more than 500,00 people in need of humanitarian assistance. International Medical Corps is still one of the few international organizations that has supported conflict-affected populations in Libya and among three organizations that has relocated expatriate personnel back to Libya since fighting escalated in 2014. Current program activities are supporting some of the country’s most vulnerable populations—including internally displaced persons (IDPs), refugees and asylum seekers—and providing relief to Libya’s fractured health system.

Population

6,900,000 

Life expectancy

70/76 

male/female

500,000 

People in need of protection and humanitarian assistance

The Challenges

Fractured Health System

Libya has fewer than 1,500 primary healthcare facilities for a population of 6.9 million

Dangerous sea crossings

In 2016, more than 90% of refugees and migrants arriving by boat to Italy came from Libya

Displaced people

There are more than 530,000 refugees, asylum seekers, IDPs, and returnees in Libya

Our Response

Healthcare Support

International Medical Corps operates mobile medical units (MMUs) that provide vital healthcare services to Libyans and non-Libyans in Misrata, Sabha, Tawergha and Tripoli. The MMUs are supported by community health workers (CHWs) who play a critical role in raising awareness among migrant and refugee communities about common health problems, as well as promoting psychosocial well-being and disease prevention. In addition to providing direct medical services, the MMUs organize regular training and on-the-job tutorial sessions for healthcare providers, covering both theoretical and practical aspects of pressing health topics. International Medical Corps works collaboratively with the Ministry of Health (MoH). This partnership involves training healthcare workers, providing medications and medical equipment, and rehabilitating healthcare facilities to ensure the sustainability of our efforts.

Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS)

International Medical Corps provides MHPSS services through trained doctors who navigate the identification, management and referral of priority mental health conditions in line with World Health Organization guidelines. We also build the capacity of healthcare providers at the primary healthcare level on several mental health topics to ensure they can provide MHPSS services as part of primary healthcare. Furthermore, to strengthen community-based MHPSS efforts, we train community focal people from different municipalities to facilitate training and awareness sessions that advocate for mental health at the community level.

Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and Protection

International Medical Corps’ GBV team currently operates in Tawergha and Tripoli, focusing on building local capacity through partnerships with women-led organizations, local civil society organizations and government centers. We prioritize direct assistance to women and girls, including IDPs, returnees and people from the host and migrant communities. Our efforts include providing access to GBV case management, skill-building activities and awareness-raising campaigns. Our psychosocial support group activities promote gender equality and women’s empowerment and build respect for women in their communities.

Our Impact

19,679
primary healthcare consultations were provided in 2022
552
people trained in health or other humanitarian topics in 2022
8,049
people were reached by awareness-raising sessions in 2022

Media

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Resources

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Resources

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Help Save Lives