DRC: Improve conditions of refugees, asylum seekers and migrants (mixed migrants) and capacities of relevant stakeholders in Libya, including local authorities and civil society

Project completed

Fleeing persecution, violence and armed conflict, mixed migrant groups from Sub-Sahara and the Middle East continue to arrive in Libya despite a fragile protection environment. Due to the ongoing instability and the lack of a national protection system, they are highly vulnerable and risk abuse and detention. The project aims to foster a protective environment for mixed migrants in detention centers and camps in and around Tripoli through improved protection and humanitarian assistance.

Country/region Topic Period Budget
Libya
Human rights
Migration
Health
Rule of Law - Democracy - Human rights
Human rights (incl. Women's rights)
Migration generally (development aspects and partnerships)
Primary health care
01.07.2016 - 30.06.2017
CHF  232’440
Background
  • Libya is not a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention but is party to the 1969 OAU Refugee Convention.
  • Libya lacks a national system for the registration of asylum seekers and the recognition of refugees, as well as a mechanism to monitor and protect those at risk of being forcibly returned to their country.
  • The Department of Combating Illegal Migration (DCIM) remains the authority in charge of detention centres for migrants and IDP camps.
  • Since the 2011 revolution and enhanced by the ongoing violent conflicts mixed migrants and IDPs are particularly vulnerable to human rights violations and risk detention due to their illegal status, prevailing racism, and accusations of supporting the former regime.
  • The interventions from international organizations remain limited due to the security situation, the legal vacuum on the refugee issue and difficulties to cooperate with a divided government and local authorities.
  • The living conditions of migrants and IDPs are particularly dramatic in detention centres and camps, lacking governmental control and access to basic services.
Objectives

Improve conditions of refugees, asylum seekers and migrants (mixed migrants) and capacities of relevant stakeholders in Libya, including local authorities and civil society.

Target groups

Direct beneficiaries are mixed migrants (including irregular migrants, refugees, asylum seekers) in targeted detention centers and mixed migrants communities in and around Tripoli.

DRC and its international and local partners as well as operational staff in detention centers/ coast guards will benefit from increased capacities through enhanced coordination and trainings.

Medium-term outcomes

Situation of targeted vulnerable  refugees, asylum seekers, migrants (mixed migrants) receiving protection  assistance has improved, capacities of relevant stakeholders and Libyan civil society have improved

Results

Expected results:  

  • Vulnerable refugees, asylum seekers and migrants (mixed migrants) are monitored and received legal information/counseling, referrals and physical assistance reflecting their basic needs and identified gaps among humanitarian community assistance
  • Capacity of local authorities dealing with migration, in particular with refugees, asylum-seekers and migrants rescued at sea is strengthened to be able to operate in a protection sensitive manner
  • Capacities of DRC/INGOs partner local staff and selected local NGOs members is enhanced to enable the provide humanitarian assistance to target groups in accordance with international standards and HR principles 


Results from previous phases:  

Several achievements were completed during the last phase of DRC SDC funded action targeting mixed migrants in Libya, in particular DRC

  • Established and reinforced its network of focal points and institutions within migrants and refugees population in the greater Tripoli including:
  • Improved capacity of local partners and detention center guards to deal with refugees, asylum seekers and migrants in a protection sensitive manner
  • Directly assisted mixed migrants – both in detention centers and in the urban settings – with emergency material assistance including NFIs kits, phone credit to re-establish links with families members outside of Libya and travel allowances to reach relevant needed services in Libya


Directorate/federal office responsible SDC
Credit area Humanitarian aid
Project partners Contract partner
International or foreign NGO
  • Other international or foreign NGO North


Other partners

Local NGOs/organizations such as Mercy Wings, Libyan Red Crescent, Taher Al Zawia

Coordination with other projects and actors

Within the framework of the migration / protection activities DRC coordinate with the following other actors involved in Libya: CESVI, IMC, IOM, UNHCR, ICRC, and ACTED.

Budget Current phase Swiss budget CHF    232’440 Swiss disbursement to date CHF    236’232 Total project since first phase Swiss budget CHF   191’944 Budget inclusive project partner CHF   424’384
Project phases

Phase 3 01.07.2016 - 30.06.2017   (Completed)

Phase 2 01.06.2015 - 28.02.2017   (Completed)