A new programme worth €50 million, to improve the living conditions and resilience of vulnerable populations in key Libyan municipalities has been adopted under the European Union Emergency Trust Fund for Africa (North of Africa window).

The new actions will benefit migrants, refugees, Internally Displaced Persons, returnees and host communities alike. Formulated jointly by the European Commission and Italy, the new programme will enhance access to basic and social services for vulnerable people and support local governance, in particular in the Libyan municipalities most affected by migratory flows.

High Representative/Vice-President Federica Mogherini said: “We have been working very closely in recent years with the central and local Libyan authorities, with civil society and with all the actors that can bring peace and stability to a country exposed to many challenges. The municipalities play a key role and have our support. With this decision today, we continue the essential help to and for Libyan municipalities to strengthen governance and public services in the most vulnerable areas. This programme is meant to address the needs of migrants and of the local communities that are particularly exposed to the migratory flows. The European Union will continue to stay at the side of Libyans and of all the people in need”

Commissioner for Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations, Johannes Hahn, underlined: “Today’s new programme demonstrates that the European Union remains committed to assist Libya in responding to the pressing needs of the most vulnerable people and to strengthen local governance across the country. We are committed to supporting the kind of changes in Libya that can help bring stability in the country, which is a key priority for addressing the migration issue and many of the country’s other challenges.“

This new programme will support the capacities of local public authorities and administrations in providing basic services – health, education, water and sanitation as well as social services – while improving timely and quality access to these services, in particular for the most vulnerable people. It will cover 24 Libyan municipalities, ensuring a wide and balanced coverage across the country. The programme will be implemented by the Italian Cooperation, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

Background

In January 2017, the EU rolled out its strategy to address the situation in the Central Mediterranean Route. To address this situation, the Joint Communication on the Central Mediterranean Route, ‘Managing flows, Saving Lives’ (25 January 2017) and the Malta Declaration of 3 February 2017 outlined a number of measures as part of a comprehensive strategy to strengthen the EU’s work along this route with a particular focus on Libya. The Joint Task Force, set up with the African Union and United Nations on 29 November 2017, committed to accelerate ongoing efforts to assist migrants and refugees in Libya, underpinned by financial assistance under the EU Trust Fund.

This new programme builds on the approach and the objectives set under the programme “Managing mixed migration flows in Libya through expanding protection space and supporting local socio-economic development” adopted in April 2017. Through the EU Emergency Trust Fund for Africa, as of today, the EU has already committed €237 million worth in programmes addressing challenges in Libya.

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Press Release

‘North of Africa Window’ of the EU Emergency Trust Fund

European Commission