Libya cracks down on 10 aid groups accused of helping migrants settle in the country
Authorities in Libya have ordered 10 international aid organisations to suspend operations and close offices in the country, accusing them of violating local laws by providing aid to African migrants.
The Internal Security Agency (ISA) said in a statement that the humanitarian organisations are violating the law by providing various forms of assistance that would help resettle African migrants in Libya.
"We affirm that the project of settling illegal immigrants of African nationalities within the country represents a hostile activity targeting the Libyan demographics," the ISA said.
The list of aid groups affected includes Doctors Without Borders (MSF), Norwegian Refugee Council, Danish Refugee Council, Terre des Hommes, Care, Acted, Inter SOS and the Italian organisation, Cesvi.
Many of those organisations provided crucial immediate relief during the devastating floods in the country that killed thousands in 2023.
African migrants stand on the Libyan border with Tunisia, 4 August, 2023
AP Photo
The ISA said the organisations were suspected of money laundering because they avoided transparency in how financial transfers are made for their projects and how they exchange foreign currency for local currency.
ISA spokesperson Salem Ghaith said during a news conference that strict legal action will be taken against the NGOs in addition to the closure of their offices.
He said they illegally provided aid ranging from cash vouchers to clothing, food, housing and medical assistance, all of which helped settle migrants who were initially en route to Europe.
"As a result, there is no longer a need for them to risk crossing the seas and migrating to Europe, turning Libya into a destination country rather than a transit one," said Ghaith.
MSF said in an update in February that migrants in Libya often face violence and are routinely denied health care.
"They live in precarious conditions and are subjected to a range of violence and abuse, both inside and outside the country's detention centres. Abducted, subjected to extortion and trafficking practices, assaulted or sexually abused, their access to healthcare is severely hampered at a time when they desperately need it," the MSF update read.
Life vests are distributed to migrants after they were rescued by MSF after leaving Libya trying to reach Europe, 6 October, 2023
AP Photo
The Libyan government agency said the Norwegian Refugee Council provided illegal migrants with financial aid, food supplies, cleaning materials, clothing and medicine without the knowledge or permission of Libyan authorities, violating country provisions that address "state security crimes".
Libya, which shares borders with six countries and has a long coastline along the Mediterranean, is a main transit point for migrants fleeing war and poverty in Africa and the Middle East and seeking better lives in Europe.
The International Organization for Migration estimates around 787,000 migrants and refugees from various countries were living in Libya as of 2024.
Libya was plunged into chaos after a NATO-backed uprising toppled and killed long-time dictator Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.
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Since then the country has split, with rival administrations in the east and west backed by rogue militias and different foreign governments.
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