In Libya, Humanity & Inclusion continues to run programs under the operating name "Handicap International."
Humanity & Inclusion in Libya
Humanity & Inclusion has been operating in Libya since 2011, responding to the needs that emerged from armed conflict that year. Since the fall of the Gaddafi regime, Libya has been wracked by violence between rival militia and the uncontrolled influx of weapons, creating a situation of ongoing insecurity.
Large numbers of landmines, cluster munitions, and other explosive devices were used in Libya, and tons of weapons still lay scattered throughout the country, posing a grave risk to civilians. With the outbreak of renewed violence in 2014, Humanity & Inclusion redesigned its programs to support people injured by explosive remnants of war, small arms and light weapons, as well as people with disabilities. The situation stabilized in the summer of 2020, paving the way for a cease-fire signed in August, but the highly anticipated presidential elections are likely to be postponed, creating prolonged political uncertainty.
In 2020 and 2021, the situation in main cities has worsened on nearly all levels. Health services are overstretched by the Covid-19 pandemic, power cuts and water shortage are happening daily, as essentials are becoming increasingly expensive. Political power shifts contribute to a high level of insecurity. The Libyan population regularly demonstrates in the streets and main cities of the country.
With 87 staff members, the team is providing basic medical assistance, including rehabilitation care, while also supporting local health and rehabilitation centers.
Areas of Intervention
- Rehabilitation
- Mental health and psychosocial support
- Armed violence reduction
In recent years, Humanity & Inclusion has delivered health and protection services including physical and functional rehabilitation, provision of assistive devices and mobility equipment and psychosocial support to persons directly impacted by the ongoing crisis. Since mid-2020, Humanity & Inclusion has increased its support to physical rehabilitation and mental health and psychosocial support professionals.
Teams are also providing conflict-affected internally displaced persons, returnees and host communities in Libya with improved access to basic needs, health and protection services with a focus on physical and psychological needs. In 2017, Humanity & Inclusion relaunched risk education activities in the Nafusa Mountain region for returning populations displaced since 2011. In the same year, teams also initiated support to the LibMAC for enhancing assistance to victims of explosive hazards, by uniting national authorities and civil society to raise awareness of their collective responsibility toward people directly affected by conflict. Staff has also reinitiated risk education activities in Tripoli and developed victim assistance activities, to improve data collection, injury surveillance and case management for victims of explosive ordnances.
Our Past Work
Our team in Libya has been in the country since 2011, promoting an inclusive culture. Our work continues to evolve to meet the needs of the communities where we serve.
Read on to learn more about our past work in Libya and consider investing in our future.
Protecting Displaced Individuals
Humanity & Inclusion deployed a mobile team to identify the displaced people, especially children and people with disabilities in need of medical care. Our team provided rehabilitation and psychosocial support for people with disabilities directly or referred to nearby health centers by:
- Supporting 11 health centers
- Training staff
- Distributing orthopedic devices
- Providing information to medical staff and patients
Mine Clearance
Three teams were deployed in Tripoli, working primarily in the districts most affected by the fighting to identify, remove, and destroy mines and other explosive remnants of war.
Mine Risk Education
Since the start of its operations, Humanity & Inclusion has trained 900 Libyan nationals to educate communities about the risks posed by landmines and other unexploded remnants of war. Our teams and partners work directly in schools and businesses and with local authorities.
Small Arms Risk Awareness
In addition to the danger of landmines and unexploded ordnance, Humanity & Inclusion identified the risk posed by light weapons in the hands of civilians. In collaboration with the authorities and local organizations, our awareness-raising teams deliver prevention messages in schools and workplaces. The project did experience a six-month suspension of work due to safety concerns but resumed operations again in February 2015.
