libya: multi-sector needs update

LIBYA

REPORT

FEBRUARY 2016

REACH MULTI-SECTOR NEEDS ASSESSMENT UPDATE

REACH, Libya MSNA Update, February 2016

2

Photo: Housing for internally displaced persons in Libya, 2016

About REACH

REACH is a joint initiative of two international non-governmental organizations and the UN Operational

Satellite Applications Programme (UNOSAT). REACH’s mission is to strengthen evidence-based decision

making by aid actors through efficient data collection, management and analysis before, during and after an

emergency. By doing so, REACH contributes to ensuring that communities affected by emergencies receive

the support they need. All REACH activities are conducted in support to and within the framework of inter-

agency aid coordination mechanisms. For more information please visit our website: www.reach-initiative.org.

http://www.reach-initiative.org/


3

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

In 2016, continued political instability and ongoing armed conflict in Libya has led to deteriorating living conditions and reduced access to essential services for a significant part of the country. Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) remain one of the most vulnerable population groups as they seek out temporary shelter and scarce livelihood opportunities in urban centres, many without access to basic services. The power vacuum that gave way to the rise of armed groups in Libya, and the ongoing violence has caused thousands more Libyans to flee their homes in search of protection and assistance.1 In February 2016, while the political situation in Libya remains tumultuous new patterns of displacement are occurring, with a growing trend of return reported in the East.2

In June 2015, persisting information gaps and the need to inform the 2015 Libya Humanitarian Appeal, prompted the Humanitarian Country Team to request that the World Food Programme lead a multi-sector needs assessment in coordination with UNOCHA, UNHCR, IOM, UNICEF, UNDP and UNFPA.3 The assessment was conducted by REACH and JMW Consulting, together with local partner Diwan Market Research, and provided an overview of the humanitarian needs of conflict-affect populations across Libya in the summer of 2015.

In February 2016, a second round of the MSNA updates was initiated by REACH, supported by ECHO. This assessment has a reduced scope compared to the 2015 assessment, with findings drawn from community level data, collected from “People with Knowledge” (PwK) with particular focus on the situation in East Libya. All relevant sector partners were involved in the collaborative design of the indicators measured, reviewing and validating the assessment tool, and providing their observations on assessment results, feeding directly into the analysis process. Key findings were then presented to the Humanitarian Country Team (HCT) in Tunis. This latest MSNA update indicates that the situation of some population groups remains challenging, with prevalent threats to personal safety and security reported, in addition to unaffordable basic needs, weakened WASH infrastructure, and restricted access to livelihoods and liquidity in some areas.

Key Findings:

WASH:

There continues to be an urgent need to rehabilitate core WASH infrastructure in Libya, particularly with regards to waste water management. In February 2016 less than half of PwK (43%) reported that the sewerage system in their community remained functional at pre-conflict levels. Overall, a quarter of PwK (25%) stated that the sewerage system in their community was no longer functioning at pre-conflict levels due to being disconnected or only partially connected, followed by 15% reporting that the sewerage system was damaged, 5% citing flooding, and 5% reporting no access to sewerage in their community.

In total, over a third of PwK (34%) reported that there had been a reduction in the volume of safe water available in their community during the 30 days prior to assessment, with over half (56%) attributing this to a lack of electricity to power the main water network. This indicates a continuing need to rehabilitate the mains electricity grid which is reported to have sustained considerable damage since the onset of the armed conflict. The second most commonly reported reason cited by 40% of PwK was that damage to the main water network was responsible for the reduction in the volume of safe water available, followed by 27% indicating that water treatment stations had sustained damage.

According to 83% of PwK, the main water network remains the primary source of drinking water for the population, representing no change in primary water source since the June 2015 MSNA. However, some people continue to rely on water trucking, wells and other primary sources of drinking water.

Garbage collection and disposal to the streets and in public facilities is on the increase and remains a concerning issue. There is also continuous reporting on negative coping strategies in PwK communities for dealing with the disposal of solid waste. In some areas there was a rise in the proportion of PwK indicating that the local population relied on negative coping strategies with regards to solid waste disposal. Overall, 38% of respondents in the East stated that garbage was left in the street or in public areas, compared to only 27% in June 2015, with the response rate for this indicator also rising from 21% to 25% in the South of Libya in February 2016. Meanwhile, the proportion of respondents indicating that

1 Reuters, http://www.reuters.com/article/us-libya-security-oil-idUSKCN0VV0QZ, February 2016. 2 IOM, DTM, February 2016. 3 Libya MSNA, http://reliefweb.int/report/libya/libya-multi-sector-needs-assessment-report-june-july-2015, June 2015

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-libya-security-oil-idUSKCN0VV0QZ

http://reliefweb.int/report/libya/libya-multi-sector-needs-assessment-report-june-july-2015


4

garbage was burned or buried reportedly increased in all three regions in February 2016, with 15% citing this response overall.

Lower affordability of WASH NFIs is an additional priority. The prices of WASH NFIs, particularly baby diapers, soap for handwashing, laundry washing powder and water tanks have increased, and therefore WASH NFI distribution to affected people is considered an urgent response. Overall, 93% of PwK stated that baby diapers were unaffordable.

Shelter & NFIs:

The majority of PwK (77%) stated that IDP housing was either inadequate or very inadequate indicating a continued need for shelter support in urban centres hosting large displaced populations.4 Some IDPs continue to rely on sub-standard housing such as collective public spaces not intended for shelter and unfinished buildings. IDPs who continue to dwell in collective public spaces, such as schools and camps, and other improvised shelters must endure insecurity, limited privacy, and multiple families sharing WASH facilities.

While a range of different housing types was reported for IDPs and members of the Host Community, rented accommodation with own family was the most commonly indicated form of shelter for both population groups, with 90% of PwK indicating this response for IDPs and for Host Community. A greater financial burden can be attributed to this type of housing given the obligation to cover often unaffordable rental costs.

A particularly high risk of eviction was reported in the East of Libya, with 80% of PwK indicating that some population groups could be evicted from their shelters during the next 30 days. This is compared to 55% of PwK in the South and 26% in the West citing the same response. Of PwK citing the risk of eviction, IDPs were reported by 87% to be the most at risk population group, indicating that they are particularly vulnerable to shelter rights violations.5 The most commonly cited reason for risk of eviction was the inability to cover rental costs, with 69% of PwK who reported a risk of eviction indicating this response.

The majority of PwK (59%) indicated that at least 1-25% houses in their community or more had sustained damage since the onset of the May 2014 conflict

The top reported shelter NFI need for both the South (55%) and West of Libya (50%) was blankets, while in the East of Libya, it was fuel (26%). PwK reported that most shelter NFIs were highly priced and indicated a strong demand for winterization items, emphasizing the need to continue NFI kit distributions to vulnerable communities across Libya.

Protection:

In February 2016 there was an increase in the proportion of PwK reporting that families in their community had lost documentation compared to June 2015, rising from 59% to 90% in the West and from 72% to 88% in the East. An increase in the proportion of PwK reporting that families in their community had lost legal documentation highlights this ongoing protection concern, particularly for IDPs who are likely to be at a greater risk due to their transient status in fleeing conflict affected areas.

Overall, 29% of PwK reported that families were having difficulty registering newborns. Among PwK citing this type of difficulty, the most commonly cited explanation was that people were unclear on the process or lacked information (53%), followed by refusal by registration entities (23%), long waiting periods (21%) and not knowing where to register (21%).

Access to most protection services was reported to be limited across Libya, with psychosocial services and women’s and children’s centres most commonly cited as not available in the community, with 30% and 27% respectively. This highlights the need to increase the coverage of protection centres and services currently available to vulnerable groups in Libya.

The prevalence of reported landmines and UXOs in proximity to houses and workplaces continues to present an immediate danger to a large number of assessed locations across South, West and East

4 Adequate shelter is defined as incorporating; adequate privacy; adequate space; physical accessibility; adequate security; security of tenure; structural stability and durability; adequate lighting, heating and ventilation; adequate basic infrastructure, such as water-supply, sanitation and waste-management facilities; suitable environmental quality and health-related factors; and adequate and accessible location with regard to work and basic facilities, UN Documents, Habitat Agenda: Chapter IV: B. Adequate shelter for all, < http://www.un-documents.net/ha-4b.htm> June 1996. 5 Respondents were asked to indicate which population groups in their city or village were at risk of being evicted during the 30 days after the assessment date.

http://www.un-documents.net/ha-4b.htm


5

Libya. There was a particularly high reported presence of landmines/UXO in the East, with almost half of PwK (48%) indicating the presence of this danger, compared to 25% in the South and 10% in the West. This points to a continued need for demining efforts, risk awareness sessions and widespread messaging on the issue in contaminated areas and their surroundings.

Violent incidents linked to small arms and light weapons (SALW) were indicated by the vast majority of PwK across Libya. Overall, 72% of PwK reported the incidence of deaths by SALW, while 77% reported the incidence of injuries by SALW in their community. Male children and adults were indicated to be at a significantly greater risk of SALW related incidents than their female counterparts. Initiatives aimed at reducing the prevalence and usage of SALW and raising awareness of associated risks would help to alleviate this prominent protection concern.

GBV continues to be underreported, however it is clear when responses are disaggregated by male and female PwK that violence to women and girls remains a protection priority.

Disability services were reported to be inadequate across all disability types. Difficulty with seeing and walking were the two most common disabilities according to people with knowledge.

Livelihoods:

Delayed salary payments continue to represent the most significant barrier to accessing incomes in Libya, with 81% of PwK citing this response in February 2016 compared to 64% in June 2015, while reduced banking system functionality only serves to exacerbate this issue. Salaried work was the primary source of income in February 2016 with 64% of PwK across all three regions of Libya.

Regular delays reported in the payment of government salaries by 90% of PwK threaten to undermine the payment of pensions which represent the second most commonly reported source of income according to over a third of PwK (35%).

The proportion of respondents indicating a lack of opportunities as the main barrier to incomes rose sharply from 9% in June 2015 to 38% in February 2016 highlighting a rising need for the creation of new jobs and livelihood opportunities across Libya.

Food Security (East Libya)

High prices are reportedly making it difficult to obtain food items in Libyan markets, with the 95% of PwK indicating that some types of food are too expensive in February 2016 compared to 68% in June 2015.

The proportion of PwK indicating that some people in their community are relying on negative coping strategies, such as buying food on credit (30%) and reducing expenditure on health and education (26%) due to a lack of food or a lack of money to buy food points to an ongoing need for food assistance across the East of Libya.

Purchasing food was the most commonly cited means of obtaining food cited by 100% of PwK in February 2016 compared to 96% in June 2015, and followed by food received through distributions, with 50% in February 2016 compared to 74% in June 2015 indicating this response.

Wheat bread and wheat flour were cited by respondents as particularly difficult to obtain at the time of assessment, with only 21% of PwK reporting the availability of subsidised food items in their community.

According to 61% of PwK the volume of food consumed by children has decreased since the onset of the crisis due to the lack of affordability of food items, pointing to a potential risk of decreased food security for this vulnerable group.

A wide range of problems are reported to be faced by traders supplying food markets, with poor currency exchange rates cited as the top reason followed by a lack of liquidity and road blockages. In terms of barriers to traders supplying markets, poor currency exchange rates were indicated as the number one obstacle, followed by lack of access to cash and road blockages.

Findings indicate that a larger proportion of IDPs than Host Community members have received food assistance. PwK most commonly reported that 1-25% of the IDP population in their community had received food items, food cash vouchers, and non-food utensils, while the most commonly reported response for the Host Community was that they had not received any food assistance. Continued communication with stakeholders will help to ensure proper access to food assistance.


6

The largest proportion of PwK (40%) reported that mothers in the community exclusively breastfeed their children for an average period of more than 6 months. Meanwhile, the vast majority of PwK (96%) stated that semi-solid foods were the type of food most commonly introduced to infants.

Early Recovery (East Libya)

An overwhelming majority of respondents (88%) reported that necessary repairs to basic infrastructure had not been completed during the six months prior to the assessment, with almost identical results to the June 2015 MSNA (89%).This underlines the ongoing need for further rehabilitation efforts, particularly with regards to the mains electricity grid and telecommunications networks which were indicated by PwK to have sustained the greatest level of damage.

Mosques were found to be the most accessible type of community infrastructure, with 96% of PwK stating that they were easy to access, followed by 75% indicating this response for police stations and 64% for government administrative buildings.

Limited vocational training opportunities means that there is reduced access to livelihoods for both host community and IDPs residing in East Libya. There was low access to cash reported across the East, with 98% of PwK citing regular or occasional delays to government salary payments.

Benghazi and Derna were indicated to be particularly badly affected by rubble and debris landmass coverage, highlighting a persisting need for debris clearance and management operations in these locations.

Participation in public local decisions was reported to be considerably lower among women than their male counterparts. Participation in public local decisions was indicated to be lower among women with only 51% of PwK reporting their active participation compared to 68% for youths and 83% for men. Civil society initiatives should aim to involve women in public political processes to a greater degree.

A positive finding was that almost PwK (99%) perceived foreign migrant workers to be important or very important to the Libyan economy.

Education (East Libya)

Schools being used to house IDPs was cited as the primary barrier to accessing formal education for children in both June 2015 and February 2016. The main barrier to children accessing education was stated to be schools used for sheltering IDPs, remaining unchanged since the June 2015 MSNA. This services to highlight a pressing need to provide alternative IDP shelter solutions in the place of schools to allow children full access to educational facilities in their community. This was followed by reports that the route to school was unsafe (35%), or that school buildings were perceived as insecure (28%) – while in June 2015 shared latrines and a lack of teaching staff took second and third place. This suggests that perceptions of insecurity surrounding schools have increased.

Despite the fact that the majority of PwK (69%) indicated 81-100% of school aged children to be attending formal education, 23% indicated that the majority of out-of-school children had missed more than one year of formal education. This suggests a need for back-to-school campaigns, the provision of catch-up classes and further outreach efforts.

The proportion of PwK indicating that formal education facilities remained accessible to the community remained largely the same for primary and secondary schools between the June 2015 and the February 2016. However, there was an increase in the proportion of People with Knowledge reporting access to universities in their city or village.

In February 2016 there was a considerable increase in PwK reporting on the proportion of schools with damage in the community. Overall, 64% indicated damaged schools in February 2016 compared to 43% in June 2015. This points to a continuing need to repair and rehabilitate destroyed school buildings in order to increase access to learning opportunities.


7

CONTENTS

Executive Summary ................................................................................................................................................ 3

Table of Figures .................................................................................................................................................. 7

List of Tables ...................................................................................................................................................... 9

Introduction ........................................................................................................................................................... 11

Methodology ......................................................................................................................................................... 12

Challenges and Limitations ............................................................................................................................... 17

Findings ................................................................................................................................................................ 18

Displacement .................................................................................................................................................... 18

Shelter and NFIs ............................................................................................................................................... 19

Water, Hygiene and Sanitation ......................................................................................................................... 28

Protection ......................................................................................................................................................... 35

Livelihoods ........................................................................................................................................................ 45

Food Security (East Libya) ............................................................................................................................... 46

Education (East Libya) ...................................................................................................................................... 52

Early Recovery (East Libya) ............................................................................................................................. 56

Annex 1: MSNA Questionnaire Link ...................................................................................................................... 62

Table of Figures Figure 1: Reported prevalence of compensation paid to hosts by IDPs in their city/village, whole of Libya ......... 20

Figure 2: Reported type of compensation provided to hosts by IDPs in their city/village, whole of Libya ............. 21

Figure 3: Reported adequacy of most IDP housing in their city/village, whole of Libya ........................................ 22

Figure 4: Most commonly reported type of Host Community/Returnee housing, whole of Libya .......................... 22

Figure 5: Reported risk of eviction for all population groups in city/village over the next 30 days, by region ........ 23

Figure 6: Population groups reportedly at risk of eviction in their city/village in the next 30 days, by region ........ 23

Figure 7: Most common reason for a risk of eviction in city/village, whole of Libya .............................................. 24

Figure 8: Estimated damaged to housing in respondents’ city/village since May 2014 conflict, by region ............ 24

Figure 9: Reported availability of NFI support in respondents’ city/village, by region ........................................... 25

Figure 10: Reported availability of Shelter NFI support in respondents’ city/village, by type and region .............. 25

Figure 11: Reported availability of Shelter NFIs in respondents’ city/village, whole of Libya ................................ 26

Figure 12: Main reported source of electricity in respondents’ city/village, by region (2015/2016) ....................... 27

Figure 13: Most commonly used source of cooking fuel in respondents’ city/village, whole of Libya .................... 27

Figure 14: Most commonly used heating fuels in respondents’ city/village, whole of Libya .................................. 28

Figure 15: Perceived drinking water quality in respondents’ city/village, by region (June 2015) ........................... 29

Figure 16: Perceived drinking water quality in respondents’ city/village, by region (February 2016) .................... 29

Figure 17: Reported presence of water quality monitoring in respondents’ city/village, by region (2015/2016) .... 30

Figure 18: Reported reductions in the volume of safe drinking water in their city/village during the 30 days prior to

assessment, by region (2015/2016) ...................................................................................................................... 30

Figure 19: Reported reasons for reduction in volume of safe drinking water, whole of Libya ............................... 31

Figure 20: Reported level of sewerage system functionality in respondents’ city/village, by region...................... 32

Figure 21: Reported availability of WASH-related items in respondents’ city/village, whole of Libya .................... 34

Figure 22: Main reported type of solid waste disposal during the last 30 days, by region (2015/2016) ................ 35

Figure 23: Perceived status of relationship between Host Community and IDPs, by region ................................. 36

Figure 24: Reported awareness of families who have lost legal documentation, by region (2015/2016) .............. 36


8

Figure 25: Respondents reporting difficultly registering newborns in assessed communities, whole of Libya ...... 37

Figure 26: Reported ease of access to core protection services in respondents’ city/village, whole of Libya ....... 37

Figure 28: Perceived safety of areas in the community for women and men, whole of Libya ............................... 38

Figure 28: Perceived safety of areas in the community for boys and girls, whole of Libya ................................... 38

Figure 29: Reported exposure of people in respondents’ city/village to specific threats, by region ...................... 38

Figure 30: Respondents reporting that children and/or adolescents (under 18 years old) were the victim of specified

threats to personal safety & security ..................................................................................................................... 39

Figure 31: Reported presence of landmines/UXO close to housing/workplaces, by region (2015/2016).............. 39

Figure 32: Reported incidence of injuries and deaths by landmines/UXO and small arms, by region .................. 40

Figure 33: Reported awareness of violence against women/girls in their city/village, whole of Libya ................... 42

Figure 34: Reported prevalence of disabilities/special needs in assessed locations, whole of Libya ................... 43

Figure 35: Estimated proportion of disabilities linked to landmines/UXO and/or SALW in assessed locations, whole

of Libya ................................................................................................................................................................. 43

Figure 36: Reported adequacy of services for people with special needs in assessed locations, whole of Libya 44

Figure 37: Estimated proportion of self-sufficient IDP families with access to work in their city/village, by region 44

Figure 39: Top three reported sources of income relied upon in respondents’ city/village, by region ................... 45

Figure 39: Reported crisis-related challenges to income in assessed locations, whole of Libya (2015/2016) ...... 45

Figure 40: Reported functionality of banking system in respondents’ city/village, by region ................................. 46

Figure 41: Most common reported ways of obtaining food in the last 30 days, East Libya (2015/2016)............... 47

Figure 42: Most common food access problems in the last 30 days, East Libya (2015/2016) .............................. 47

Figure 43: Reported availability of subsidised foods respondents’ city/village, East Libya ................................... 48

Figure 44: Reported coping strategies used to cover basic needs in the past 30 days, East Libya ...................... 49

Figure 45: Estimated proportion of IDPs in assessed locations in receipt of food assistance, East Libya ............ 49

Figure 46: Estimated proportion of Host community in receipt of food assistance, East Libya ............................. 50

Figure 47: Most common reported constraints for traders supplying markets, East Libya .................................... 50

Figure 48: Average reported length of breastfeeding by mothers in assessed communities, East Libya ............. 51

Figure 49: Reported types of food most commonly introduced to infants, East Libya ........................................... 51

Figure 50: Reported level of child food consumption in assessed locations compared to before the crisis, East

Libya ..................................................................................................................................................................... 52

Figure 51: Estimated formal school attendance rates in respondents’ city/village, East Libya ............................. 54

Figure 52: Most commonly reported reasons for school-aged children not attending school in the last three months,

East Libya ............................................................................................................................................................. 55

Figure 53: Reported proportion of formal schools affected by a lack of teachers, East Libya (2015/2016) .......... 55

Figure 54: Estimated proportion of formal schools destroyed or damaged by conflict, East Libya (2015/2016) ... 56

Figure 55: Estimated schooling missed by most out-of-school children in assessed locations, East Libya .......... 56

Figure 56: Respondents reporting if necessary repairs have been conducted to basic infrastructure in their

city/village over the last 6 months, East Libya (2015/2016) .................................................................................. 57

Figure 57: Reported access to community infrastructure in respondents’ city/village, by type, East Libya ........... 57

Figure 58: Reported level of damage to basic community infrastructure in their city/village, by type, East Libya . 58

Figure 59: Reported proportion (%) of city landmass currently affected by rubble/debris, by city, East Libya ...... 58

Figure 60: Reported level of access to cash in assessed city/village, by city, East Libya (% respondents) .......... 59

Figure 61: Reported service provision available in respondents’ city/village, East Libya ...................................... 59

Figure 64: Reporting level of delay in payment of government salaries in respondents’ city/village, East Libya .. 60

Figure 65: Respondents reporting active community participation in local decision making, East Libya .............. 60

Figure 66: Reported active participation of demographic groups in public local decision making, East Libya ...... 60

Figure 67: Reported prevalence of vocational training for community members in their city/village, East Libya .. 61

Figure 68: Perceived importance of foreign/migrant workers to the economy in assessed locations, East Libya . 61


9

List of Tables Table 1: People with Knowledge matrix ................................................................................................................ 15 Table 2: PwK Profile.............................................................................................................................................. 15 Table 3: % Respondents reporting top 3 reasons for IDP displacement to Benghazi from area of origin ............. 18 Table 4: Top three reported reasons for IDP arrival to Benghazi from area of origin ............................................ 19 Table 5: Top three reported reasons for IDPs to stay in Benghazi ....................................................................... 19 Table 6: Most common types of IDP housing in assessed locations, by region, 2015/2016 (% respondents) ...... 20 Table 7: Top three priority Shelter NFI needs according to respondents, by region ............................................. 26 Table 9: Reported victims of injuries and deaths by landmines/UXO and SALW in assessed locations, by demographic group, whole of Libya ...................................................................................................................... 41 Table 10: Reporting availability of food items in assessed locations, East Libya (% respondents)....................... 48 Table 11: Top reported reasons for school non-attendance by school-aged children, East Libya (2015/2016) .... 54


10

Abbreviations and Acronyms

CSO Civil Society Organisation

DTM Displacement Tracking Matrix

ECHO European Commission for Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection

GBV Gender Based Violence

HNO Humanitarian Needs Overview

HRP Humanitarian Response Plan

IDP Internally Displaced Person

INGO International Non-Governmental Organisation

IOM International Organisation for Migration

KI Key Informant

LCC Local Crisis Committee

MSNA Multi-Sector Needs Assessment

NFI Non Food Item

NGO Non-Governmental Organisation

ODK Open Data Kit

PwK Person/People with Knowledge

SALW Small Arms and Light Weapons

UN United Nations

UNDP United Nations Development Programme

UNHCR United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees

UXO Unexploded Ordnance

WHO World Health Organisation


11

INTRODUCTION

Armed conflict and political instability has affected over 3 million people across Libya. An estimated 2.44 million people are in need of protection and some form of humanitarian assistance, including approximately 430,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) who have been forced to leave their homes since the beginning of the conflict.6 Potential for return is present in some parts of the country, while new displacement is occurring elsewhere. The conflict and degradation of institutional and financial systems in Libya is directly affecting these IDPs, with displacement primarily taking place towards urban areas, particularly in the East of the country around Benghazi. In terms of shelter, some IDPs are renting apartments in safe areas, while others are being hosted by families, occupying schools or unsuitable buildings. This assessment identifies the priority needs and vulnerabilities of Libyans and IDPs in the East of the country, to inform a more effective and targeted humanitarian response.

The volatile situation and a widespread misunderstanding of IDP related issues by local authorities and stakeholders makes it difficult to have reliable and comprehensive figures of the IDP population and needs. In the face of these critical information gaps, and a need to inform the Libya Humanitarian Appeal, this assessment, known as the REACH Multi-Sector Needs Assessment I, was conducted in January and February 2016.

Given the volatility of the situation in Libya, and the dynamic nature of humanitarian needs, REACH, funded by ECHO, is delivering periodic updates to the MSNA. This is the first update for January/February 2016, while the second and third rounds of data collection will follow in March and May 2016. Updates are not intended to repeat the comprehensive data gathering of the baseline, but rather to measure key indicators which are a) important to measure over time b) can feed directly into the planning of responses by partners. Due to fieldwork limitations and the reduced scope of the MSNA updates, an exhaustive list of indicators could not be included for every sector.

Information was gathered through interviews at community-level, using indicators that are most suitable to be measured at this level. Such an approach allows regular data collection through a key informant network of “People with Knowledge”, activated through local crisis committee (LCC) and partner members. Data collectors and a small number of LCC members attended training in Tunis in early January 2016 and are now responsible for rolling-out training with LCC and select stakeholders within Libya. These individuals have helped to identify People with Knowledge based on pre-defined criteria provided by sector experts, who will be interviewed for each subsequent REACH MSNA update. A training of trainers (ToT) covered IDP rights, protection, and humanitarian principles, thereby improving local actors’ awareness of key IDP issues. Furthermore, the training included a module on data collection and assessment techniques, enabling these actors to acquire the skills needed to conduct KI interviews and to provide good quality data, which has been analysed and included in this assessment report.

Context in Libya 2015 - 2016 Since July 2014, Libya has been in a state of civil unrest due to conflict between rival parties and armed groups. Against this backdrop, as of June 2015, there were 434,869 internally displaced persons (IDPs) within Libya, in addition to a large number of migrants and refugees attempting to make the treacherous journey across the Mediterranean Sea in a bid to flee the conflict.7 As of the beginning of 2016 armed conflicts continued to affect all regions the country.

According to the June 2015 MSNA, urban centres are more acutely affected by the conflict than rural areas, with large numbers of IDPs flooding to major cities. In Tripoli, Benghazi, Derna, Zintan, Awbari and Sabha, shortages of food, fuel, medical supplies, a lack of potable water, and electricity, as well as reduced access to health care and public services are having a profoundly negative impact on all members of Libyan society. Furthermore, the prices of food and basic items, such as cooking fuel, rice and wheat flour, have at least doubled in the most populated areas.8

Since the end of November 2015 over 143,500 people arrived in Italy by boat from North African origins, the vast majority setting sail from Libya.9In total, Libya currently hosts an estimated 250,000 vulnerable refugees, asylum

6 Humanitarian Needs Overview (HNO), http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/Libya_HNO_Final_English.pdf September 2015. 7 UNHCR, 2015 UNHCR sub-regional operations profile - North Africa, June 2015. 8 REACH/JMW MSNA, http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/JMW_reach_lby_report_libya_multi_sector_needs_assessment_aug_2015.pdf, June 2015. 9 Human Rights Watch, Libya: Events of 2015, 27 January 2016.

http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/Libya_HNO_Final_English.pdf

http://www.unhcr.org/pages/49e485f36.html

http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/JMW_reach_lby_report_libya_multi_sector_needs_assessment_aug_2015.pdf

http://reliefweb.int/report/libya/libya-events-2015-enar


12

seekers and migrants from North and sub-Saharan Africa.10 IOM estimates that there are over 150,000 migrants in Libya, many of whom were previously labour migrants with well-paid jobs. Of these 150,000 migrants, it is estimated that 7,000 can be considered particularly vulnerable and in need of humanitarian repatriation assistance, non-food items, health services and psychosocial support.11

METHODOLOGY

Key objectives Overall Objective: Providing updates to the June 2015 MSNA baseline, delivering current information on critical needs and priorities for humanitarian actors supporting vulnerable communities in Libya, with the aim of contributing to a more targeted and evidence based humanitarian response.

Specific Objectives: I. Identifying priority needs across key sectors through periodic updates.

II. Empowering local actors by improving their ability to understand the needs of their community through data collection and IDP rights and protection training.

Geographic scope The February 2016 REACH MSNA update covers the locations across East Libya listed below incorporating the sectors Protection, Shelter & NFIs, Displacement, WASH, Livelihoods, Education, Early Recovery and Food Security. Meanwhile, findings from the complementary IDP Protection Monitoring assessment conducted simultaneously by REACH on behalf of UNHCR in the South, West and East of Libya covering the sectors Protection, Shelter & NFIs, Displacement, WASH, Livelihoods, using the same indicators, have been incorporated into this report to ensure the data’s maximum utility and comparability with MSNA June 2015 findings. For sectors covered in all regions of the country, a total of 162 PwK were interviewed. For sectors covered in the East only, 80 PwK were interviewed. The below locations were targeted in this complimentary assessment using the same Key Informant methodology:

Region of Libya: Assessed Locations:

East Ajdabiya, Al Bayda, Al Kufrah, Al Marj, Umm Saad, Benghazi, Derna, Tobruk.

West Al Ajaylat, Al Khoms, Al Qalah, Bani Walid, Brak, Gawlish, Ghariyan, Jufra, Kabaw, Misrata, Mssallata, Nalut, Rajaban, Ryayna, Sorman, Tarhuna, Tejerhi, Tripoli, Yefren, Zawiyah, Zintan, Zliten.

South Al Giryafa, Attanahma, Awbari, Ghat, Murzuq, Qatrun, Sabha.

All assessment sites were selected based on IOM’s Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) as hosting a significant number of IDPs. Further, the REACH MSNA in the East covers Benghazi, a key location for IDPs in Libya that was not incorporated by IOM’s latest DTM round, released in January 2016. Selected assessment locations also incorporate urban centres that were covered by the Multi-Sector Needs Assessment conducted in June 2015, allowing for a degree of comparability between the results.

10 UNICEF, Humanitarian situation for children and programme for 2016. 11 IOM, IOM Humanitarian Compendium, 05 January 2016.


13

Map 1: Assessed locations

Targeted groups and sectors The target population for the REACH MSNA includes IDPs, returnees, host community, while some indicators (such as perceived importance of foreign migrant workers to the economy, and refugees as a group at potential risk of eviction) also incorporate migrants and refugees. Target groups were defined as follows:

IDPs: those facing first-time displacement and multiple displacements are considered among the most vulnerable groups due to limited coping capacity and a loss of assets due to displacement.

Returnees: former IDPs returning to their habitual place of residence who lack access to mechanisms for property restitution, reconstruction of their homes, or compensation. In the meantime, they are accommodated in temporary unsafe housing with very limited means of shelter or basic relief items or are accommodated in their own damaged structures.

Host Community (the non-displaced affected population): including households in the host community whose homes have been damaged by the conflict and have no alternative shelter may benefit from repair kits. The scale of damage among some communities needs to be better documented and analysed.12

The sectors covered in this assessments include: Protection, Shelter & NFIs, Displacement, WASH, Livelihoods, Education, Early Recovery & Food Security.

Methodology Overview The REACH MSNA is not intended to substitute, but rather to supplement other data collection efforts in Libya, including information gathered from ministries, INGOS, UN agencies, local partner secondary data, quantitative assessments, and the UNHCR IDP Protection Monitoring which was conducted simultaneously. The REACH MSNA aims to provide three consecutive updates to existing information on IDPs residing in Libya, in contrast with one-off comprehensive assessments conducted as a snapshot only. In response to lessons learned from the baseline assessment, as well as to engage all sectors, REACH has approached all relevant sector working groups

12 Humanitarian Needs Overview Libya 2015, http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/Libya_HNO_Final_English.pdf, September 2015.

http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/Libya_HNO_Final_English.pdf


14

in Tunis to provide feedback on indicators, modifying and adapting the tool, within the limitations of recognising the need to maintain a degree of comparability with the June 2015 MSNA baseline. Partners were invited to make suggestions for changes and additions to ensure that indicators that were considered important to measure over time, and could be assessed through Key Informant interviews at the community level.

Unit of analysis The main unit of analysis being used for this assessment will be the city/village level. This is given the considerable constraints limiting access to different areas and the number of suitable People with Knowledge that could be identified for interview in each location. Further, the questions included in the survey are asked at the community level and are therefore best suited to this unit of analysis.

The geographical denomination below the city/village level in Libya is the ‘mahala’ or neighbourhood level. These geographical boundaries are still widely contested by local authorities, and have yet to be fully defined. For this reason it was not advisable to use the ‘mahala’ as a unit of analysis for this round of data collection. Secondary data mapping formed part of the research design process and will inform the final report. Available information sources from other humanitarian actors within Libya, including IOM’s DTM and other humanitarian reports will be used to triangulate findings and deepen the level of analysis included in the final report.

Sampling approach A purposive sampling approach has been adopted for the MSNA. This is in recognition of the limited level of accessibility in Libya, rendering representative and random household level sampling unattainable within the current context. For this assessment “key informants” are referred to as ‘People with Knowledge’ (PwK) throughout this assessment due to the sensitive nature of information gathering, and in order to avoid any negative connotations relating to intelligence actors. PwK are people who know what is going on in their own community and can be contacted to provide information which is accurate and reliable about the situation on the ground in Libya. The purpose of PwK lists is to have a wide range of people—including community leaders, professionals or residents—who have first-hand and in-depth knowledge about their community and can collect useful information from it.

People with Knowledge interviewed in this assessment have been identified by LCC partners on the ground using a ‘snowballing’ sampling technique. These individuals were selected according to recommended profiles for the sectors being covered by the REACH MSNA. The number of target PwK per location was determined in accordance with the estimated IDP population. IDP population figures were taken from IOM’s January 2016 round of DTM. The Key Informant Matrix below outlines the scale that was used to determine the number of People with Knowledge to interview per location. The target of PwK was determined by taking the middle range of each IDP population bracket, with one person interviewed for every 1,000 estimated IDPs. Once established, this network of PwK will be contacted for the two further REACH MSNA updates. In total, 80 People with Knowledge participated in the REACH MSNA survey in the East, while overall 162 PwK were interviewed across the South, West and East of Libya for the REACH MSNA and IDP Protection Monitoring. Target numbers could not be met in all assessment locations due to reduced access routes and limited telecommunications network coverage in some areas.


15

Table 1: People with Knowledge matrix

Table 2: PwK Profile

PwK Profile:

Face-to-face interview 24%

Telephone interview 76%

Female PwK 12%

Male PwK 88%

PwK age range 22-65 years

Host community 78%

IDPs 21%

Returnees 1%

People with Knowledge Guidelines: In order to support aid actors active in Libya (Local Crisis Committees, Municipalities, Local and International NGOs, UN agencies, etc.) to gain a better and dynamic understanding of the situation of Libya through data collection and analysis, REACH developed a set of profiles for People with Knowledge to be interviewed during the REACH MSNA. These profiles were developed through the input of relevant sector working groups and experts. The information that they provide will help the humanitarian organizations in designing and carrying out their programs in the different sectors of the humanitarian interventions.

Estimated IDP Households:

Target number of PwK to interview:

Less than 100 1

100 - 499 2

500 - 799 3

800 - 1399 6

1400 - 2999 11

3000 - 5999 23

More than 6000 35+


16

Key Sector: People with Knowledge Profiles:

Displacement Community leaders, local authorities, police officers, IDPs living in collective centres, drivers of shared out-of-town transport, short and long term IDPs, and migrants established in Libya and in transit.

Early Recovery & Livelihoods Community leaders, CSO/INGOs workers, local authorities, functionaries from relevant ministries, bank workers, HR / management staff.

Education Teachers, administrative staff and support staff of universities, schools, educational institutions, culture institutions, training centers, etc. as well as students.

Food Security Employees working in farming and fishery, food markets, wholesalers of food, restaurant owners, food distribution officers, NGO workers.

Protection CSO/INGOs workers, journalists, lawyers, community leaders, local authorities, functionaries of relevant ministries, short and long term IDPs, migrants established in Libya and in transit.

Shelter & NFIs CSO/INGOs workers, wholesalers, shop owners, workers of electricity companies, community leaders, local authorities.

WASH Water engineers, sanitation engineers, workers for water supply, waste management and water treatment companies, municipality officials.

Training In preparation for the implementation of the February 2016 MSNA, the data collection team, including four data collectors and two Local Crisis Committee (LCC) members from Benghazi, East Libya, attended a five day training programme in Tunis. The training schedule comprised of a day and a half focused on data collection and assessment methodology, including how to use Open Data Kit (ODK) on smart phones, interview technique, ethics in data collection, and the questionnaire content, led by REACH. In addition, three days of training on IDP protection and rights were administered by an external consultant from the Danish Refugee Council (DRC).

Ethics in Evidence Generation The data collection activity adopted a ‘Do No Harm’ approach, to avoid causing any harm or injury to assessment participants. As part of the assessment design process, the impact on both participants and the broader community throughout the research cycle from planning through to dissemination was taken into consideration. The assessment adhered to the following guiding principles to ensure that data collection was ethically sound:

Informed consent – This assessment was conducted with respondents aged 18 years or above only. Respondents volunteered to participate in the survey and were given the option of non-response. Data collectors were trained to provide sufficient knowledge and understanding of the nature of the proposed evidence generating activity to respondents before commencing the survey.

Confidentiality – This assessment ensures that the confidentiality of the information provided by respondents is respected. All personal information will be made anonymous in datasets and excluded from the final report. During the assessment, People with Knowledge were asked if they were willing to provide their name and contact details for referral and were given the option of withholding this information.

Ethical data collection – This assessment took into consideration the cultural and socio-political context in Libya. Only questions appropriate for this setting, and according to what is ethical, moral and responsible, were included in the survey. Any questions that were deemed too sensitive to include by Libyan enumerators were


17

removed from the survey in advance of data collection. Sector specialists from relevant working groups in Protection, Shelter & NFIs, Displacement, WASH and Livelihoods were consulted throughout research design

Challenges and Limitations

- Where possible, interviews will be conducted face-to-face. However, in areas with low levels of

accessibility due to distance from the data collection base or security concerns, the survey will be

conducted via phone call. It should be acknowledged that face-to-face interviews may provide more

reliable information, given that the enumerator can build a stronger rapport with the respondent.

- Due to constraints limiting accessibility to specific areas and the sensitivity of data collection exercises in

the Libya context, the ability to conduct random and statistically representative sampling is highly limited,

and therefore a purposive and ‘snowballing’ approach to sampling was adopted.

- When comparing between the June 2015 MSNA and the February 2016 MSNA update, it is worth noting

that there were slightly different sample sizes (162 PwK in February 2016 - with IDP Protection Monitoring

findings incorporated - compared to 177 PwK in June 2015), and the same team of enumerators was not

used to conduct data collection for both assessments.

- There were a larger number of male than female ‘People with Knowledge’ identified to participate in this

assessment, with females representing 12% of the total. This may reflect a comparatively larger

proportion of males than females currently occupying community leadership positions within Libya.

- This was a perceptions based survey. Under the Protection section, disabilities were reported by People with Knowledge and not verified by a disability specialist. These findings should therefore be considered as indicative only.

- The prevalence of GBV perpetrated against women and girls is likely to be underreported due to the sensitive nature of this topic, and given the lower proportion of female PwK who participated in this survey.


18

FINDINGS

Displacement An estimated 435,000 people have fled their homes in search of safety and security due to armed conflict and escalating violence since mid-2014.13 However, this has put them at increased risk of rights violations and exploitation. Most of the displaced are living in urban areas among the host community, with just over 100,000 IDPs living in collective centres, in the open, in makeshift shelters or other buildings.14 Limited coping capacities and loss of assets, particularly among displaced women, children, the elderly and those who are impoverished, render this population group particularly vulnerable in the context of ongoing armed conflict in Libya.

Comprehensive and reliable data on displacement in Libya is lacking due to weak local authorities, limited

humanitarian access and political divisions. As such, most figures on the number of IDPs are indicative only. The

IOM’s Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) is able to provide key population figures on IDPs in a large number of

locations across Libya. However, where gaps in their coverage existed in the January 2016 DTM update, the IDP

Protection Monitoring and REACH MSNA has sought to provide indicative IDP information at the city/village level

through interviews with People with Knowledge. In the East of Libya, Benghazi was the only major urban centre

not included in the DTM January 2016 update, and thus has been covered by the February 2016 REACH MSNA,

with interviews conducted for a total of 37 PwK in this assessment location.

In Benghazi, PwK reported an average range of 194,897 – 275,138 total estimated IDP individuals residing in the

city at the time of assessment,15 while the estimated length of displacement for IDPs living in Benghazi was

indicated to be 17-24 months, on average. The most commonly reported top three areas of origin for IDPs living in

Benghazi were stated to be Ajdabya (43%), Sirte (22%), and Brega (8%).16 In terms of push and pull factors, the

most commonly cited reason for IDP displacement, for those IDPs now residing in Benghazi was that their area of

origin was controlled by armed groups, with 43% of PwK indicating this response, followed by a general lack of

safety (32%) and housing destroyed (22%). Notably, the same first and second ranked displacement reasons were

also cited in the top two reasons by IDP respondents participating in the June 2015 MSNA. With regards to arrival

reasons, PwK most commonly responded that IDPs had family or friends living in Benghazi, at 49%, while the top

reason for IDPs to stay in Benghazi was reported to be access to income and shelter with 51% of PwK overall

citing this response. At 76%, the majority of PwK stated that 1-25% of IDPs had some family members remaining

in their place of origin.

Table 3: Top three reported reasons for IDP displacement to Benghazi from area of origin (% respondents)

Response: Reason for displacement % Respondents

Ranked 1 Area controlled by armed groups 43%

Ranked 2 General lack of safety 32%

Ranked 3 Housing destroyed 22%

13 HNO Libya 2015. 14 Ibid. 15 This figure includes IDPs from all areas of origin. 37 PwK from Benghazi participated in the survey, of which 29 provided a high and low estimate for total IDP individuals. 16 These figures are all indicative only.


19

Table 4: Top three reported reasons for IDP arrival to Benghazi from area of origin

Response: Reasons for arrival % Respondents

Ranked 1 Family/friends live in the area 49%

Ranked 2 Safer environment 32%

Ranked 3 Better access to services 35%

Table 5: Top three reported reasons for IDPs to stay in Benghazi

Response: Reasons to stay: % Respondents

Ranked 1 Access to income/shelter 51%

Ranked 2 Family have good ties with host community 30%

Ranked 3 Protecting assets 19%

Shelter and NFIs Ongoing fighting and indiscriminate shelling of residential areas in Libya has severely affected the safety and security of civilians, as well as inflicting serious damage on housing across the country. According the latest Humanitarian Needs Overview, an estimated 435,000 IDPs have been forced to leave their homes in search of temporary shelter in safer areas with host families, relatives, in rented apartments, or in inadequate and collective spaces. While it is generally considered that private rented accommodation is both safer and more conducive to access to local services, these IDPs are generally forced to use their own resources to pay rent or contribute to household costs.17 In the context of reduced access to economic opportunities, a large proportion of IDPs and affected host communities are struggling to cover housing costs that would enable them to live in safety and with dignity, with Benghazi particularly acutely affected. The heavy financial burden of rental costs puts IDPs at a higher risk of impoverishment and eviction, given their restricted access to livelihoods. Meanwhile, inflation rates and logistical challenges to supply routes have meant that Shelter NFIs remain difficult to obtain at affordable prices locally across the country.

Accommodation type IDPs were most commonly reported to reside in rented apartments or houses, only living with their own family.

This was the most frequently cited type of accommodation for IDPs across South, West and East Libya, with 100%,

82% and 94% of PwK in each region citing this response respectively. In comparison with the June 2015 MSNA,

there was a notable rise in this reported type of IDP housing in the West of Libya, where a 44% increase was

witnessed, from 38% in June 2015 to 82% in February 2016. There was also an increase in the number of PwK

reporting that IDPs reside in rented apartments or houses shared with other families, most significantly in the West

and East of Libya, which saw a rise of 32% and 9% respectively. This indicates that a large proportion of IDPs are

living in private accommodation where they are required to pay for monthly rental costs. While this may represent

a more stable and secure type of accommodation than collective spaces or unfinished buildings, it can put IDP

residents at higher risk of impoverishment and evictions, given the unsupportable financial burden that rental

payments can represent for this group.18

The proportion of respondents citing unfinished apartments or houses as one of the most common types of IDP

housing in their community increased from 60% in the South in June 2015 to 78% in February 2016 and from 23%

to 35% in the West, however, IDPs relying on this precarious type of housing reportedly decreased from 22% to

17 UNHCR, Housing, land and property rights in post conflict societies, <http://www.unhcr.org/425683e02a5.pdf> 18 UNHCR, Handbook for the protection of Internally Displaced Persons, < http://www.unhcr.org/4c2355229.html>


20

only 4% the East of Libya. There was a rise in the number of PwK reporting on IDPs living in collective public

spaces not intended for shelter purposes across all three regions. These types of housing are characterised by

inadequacy, insecurity and the presence of health and safety hazards to IDP occupants.

Table 6: Most common types of IDP housing in assessed locations, by region, 2015/2016 (% respondents)

Jun-15 Feb-16

Type of IDP housing: South West East South West East

Rented apartment or house living only with family

96% 38% 61% 100% 82% 94%

Rented apartment or house shared with other families

77% 20% 27% 78% 52% 36%

Hosted by families or volunteers

45% 21% 46% 28% 84% 83%

Unfinished apartment or house

60% 23% 22% 78% 35% 4%

Collective public space not usually used for shelter

4% 9% 46% 6% 19% 65%

Private space not usually used for shelter

6% 2% 9% 0% 3% 5%

Hotel 0% 4% 16% 0% 0% 1%

Tent 0% 2% 0% 0% 5% 0%

Cave/natural shelter 0% 0% 0% 0% 3% 0%

Prevalence and type of compensation paid to hosts by IDPs A large proportion of the displaced population in Libya has taken shelter in shared housing with host community families. To gain a more comprehensive understanding of this type of shelter arrangement, respondents were asked to indicate if IDPs in their community living with host families provided any type of compensation in exchange for shelter. Results show that just over half of PwK across Libya (54%) reported that IDPs living in hosted accommodation in their city or village provided compensation to their hosts, whether this was common or not. This indicates the prevalence of economic exchanges between host community and IDPs sharing living arrangements, whether formal or informal, which may contribute to the strengthening of social cohesion between the two groups.

Figure 1: Reported prevalence of compensation paid to hosts by IDPs in their city/village, whole of Libya

Of those PwK reporting that IDPs paid compensation to their hosts, the majority indicated that IDPs provided hosts with financial compensation, with 72% of PWKs citing this response. Of those reporting payment of compensation 40% cited the payment of in kind contributions, 29% housework, and 13% work for family outside of the home. Many host community members may therefore be inclined to engage in this type of shared accommodation as they

44%42%

12%

2%

No Yes, common Yes, but not common Don’t know

% r

espo

nden

ts


21

stand to benefit economically from such living arrangements. Shared accommodation can be understood as a type of coping strategy that is being employed by both population groups to overcome housing shortages and overpopulation in urban areas due to the large influx of IDPs.

Figure 2: Reported type of compensation provided to hosts by IDPs in their city/village, whole of Libya

Adequacy of housing

Map 2: Proportion of PwK reporting that most IDP housing in their city/village is inadequate, whole of Libya

When asked to rate the level of adequacy of IDP housing in the community, the vast majority of KI respondents

stated that the type of accommodation lived in by most IDPs was inadequate or very inadequate, at 77% overall.

A mere 4% perceived IDP housing to be very adequate. This result reflects findings that indicate a large number

13%

29%

40%

72%

Work for family outside home

Housework

In kind contributions

Financial compensation

% respondents


22

of IDPs are still reliant upon unfinished or insecure types of accommodation in the community, such as incomplete

apartment buildings, schools or other collective spaces, rendering them more vulnerable to external threats.

Figure 3: Reported adequacy of most IDP housing in their city/village, whole of Libya

A similar trend can be observed between June 2015 and February 2016 for the most commonly cited types of

accommodation for the host community and returnees, with a sharp increase the proportion of KI respondents

reporting rented apartments or houses with own family, rising from 51% to 90%. Meanwhile, an increase in

response rate was also seen across the following accommodation types; hosted by families or volunteers, rented

apartment or house shared with other families, unfinished apartments or houses and collective public spaces not

intended for shelter. This indicates that not only IDPs, but also those in the host community have increasingly been

forced to resort to coping strategies such as living in shared housing or inadequate types of accommodation.

Figure 4: Most commonly reported type of Host Community/Returnee housing, whole of Libya

1%

4%

18%

18%

59%

Don’t know

Very adequate

Adequate

Very inadequate

Inadequate

% respondents

4%

3%

0%

5%

11%

21%

19%

16%

51%

0%

1%

1%

5%

28%

28%

46%

56%

90%

Cave/natural shelter

Tent

Hotel

Private space not usually used for shelter

Collective public space not usually used for shelter

Unfinished apartment or house

Rented apartment or house shared with other families

Hosted by families or volunteers

Rented apartment or house only living with family

% respondents

Feb-16

Jun-15


23

Risk of eviction In Libya, the threat of eviction poses a real risk to residents who are unable to pay regular rent instalments, do not

have legal permission to reside in their current housing, or are living in conflict-affected areas. KI respondents were

asked to state if any population groups in their city or village were at risk of eviction in the next 30 days. Findings

show that the reported risk of eviction is significantly higher in the East of Libya at 80% than in the rest of the

country. However, the majority of PwK in the South also reported that population groups in their community were

at risk of eviction at 55%, with the lowest reported risk of eviction in the West, at 26%. The higher risk of eviction

reported in the East is likely to reflect the comparatively larger proportion of IDPs that are currently residing there,

creating a more precarious shelter situation in the region, particularly around Benghazi.

Figure 5: Reported risk of eviction for all population groups in city/village over the next 30 days, by region

An overwhelming majority of PwK across Libya reported that IDPs represented a population group that was at risk

of eviction during the 30 days after the time of assessment, with 82% in the South, 88% in the West and 98% in

the East citing this response. Inevitably, the transient and unstable status of IDPs living among the host community,

their reduced access to livelihoods, and their greater number, puts them at a comparatively higher risk of eviction

than other population groups. Further, stop-gap shelter solutions and short-term rental leases relied upon by a

large number of IDPs are more likely to be viewed unfavourably by landlords and local authorities. The reported

risk of eviction did not vary considerably between the host community and returnees, with similar findings recorded

across all three regions of Libya for both population groups. Only a limited proportion of PwK reported that migrants

and refugees were at risk of imminent eviction, which may be due to their comparatively smaller numbers and

therefore lower visibility in the community.

Figure 6: Population groups reportedly at risk of eviction in their city/village in the next 30 days, by region

The most frequently cited reason for eviction reported by PwK across Libya was inability to pay the rent, with 46%

stating that residents who were unable to support shelter costs due to an increase in rental costs were at risk of

eviction, and a further 23% indicating that residents unable to pay their rent, despite no rise in rental costs were

also at risk. This further suggests that a lack of access to livelihoods, delayed salaries, depleted savings and limited

access to funds leaves residents most vulnerable to eviction. Indeed, in the June 2015 REACH MSNA,

55%

26%

80%

35%

60%

16%

5%

15%

4%

5%South

West

East

% respondents

YesNoDon’t knowRefused to answer

0%

18%

27%

36%

82%

Refugees

Migrants

Host Community

Returnees

IDPs

South

0%

0%

13%

13%

88%

West

6%

17%

34%

25%

98%

East


24

unaffordable rental prices were reported by all households in the South as a reason for feeling under threat of

eviction, and by 60% of households in the West, and 56% in the East.19 Tribal or community tensions was the third

most commonly reported risk of eviction, indicating that some residents risk being forced out of their current

accommodation by rival population groups, or factions.

Figure 7: Most common reason for a risk of eviction in city/village, whole of Libya

Damage to housing The protracted armed conflict and indiscriminate shelling of residential areas in Libya has left some areas of

housing damaged or destroyed. In order to gauge the severity of destruction to housing in different regions of Libya

since May 2014, respondents were asked to identify the proportion of houses in their city or village that had been

damaged during this period. While PwK in the South (45%) and the West (42%) most commonly stated that no

housing had been damaged or destroyed in their city or village, in contrast, the largest proportion of PwK in the

East (48%) reported that 1-25% of houses had been damaged since May 2014. Figure 8, below, indicates a higher

level of shelling and bombardment affecting residential areas in the East of Libya than in other regions.

Figure 8: Estimated damaged to housing in respondents’ city/village since May 2014 conflict, by region

% respondents

19 MSNA, June 2015.

4%

5%

9%

12%

23%

46%

Other

Lack of security

Asked to leave by landlord

Tribal or community tensions

Cannot pay rent no increase

Cannot pay rent as increased

% respondents

5%

5%

5%

15%

25%

45%

Don't know

76 - 100 %

51 – 75 %

26 -50 %

1 – 25 %

None

South

8%

2%

3%

5%

40%

42%

West

5%

1%

8%

11%

48%

28%

East


25

The majority of PwK in the West reported that NFI support was available in their city or village at 56%, followed by

the East at 50%. The lowest availability of NFI support was reported in South Libya, with only 15% of PwK reporting

that NFI support was available in their city or village. This disparity can be attributed to low levels of access in the

South due to logistical challenges and security concerns.

Figure 9: Reported availability of NFI support in respondents’ city/village, by region

The most commonly cited type of NFI support reported by PwK across all three regions of Libya was in kind

assistance, with almost 100% of all respondents indicating this type of support. This was followed by cash

assistance in the West and the East with 63% each. Only 3% of PwK in the East cited the availability of NFI

vouchers in their city or village. Due to limited banking system functionality and liquidity, in kind assistance

represents an appropriate and feasible way of providing for shelter needs. In the 2015 Humanitarian Response

Plan (HRP), NFI assistance has taken the form of distribution of a variety of kits, tailored to specific needs, including

Hygiene Kits, Baby Kits, Kitchen Sets, Resettlement Kits and Winterization Kits.20

Figure 10: Reported availability of Shelter NFI support in respondents’ city/village, by type and region

With regards to the availability of NFIs in Libya, phone chargers, fuel and timber were all identified as easy to obtain by the majority of PwK. However, the following NFI items were said to be available but with high prices by the majority of respondents; warm clothes, blankets, portable heater, kitchen items, mattress, and stoves. This

20 Humanitarian Response Plan Libya 2015, http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/libya_hrp_final_19_11_2015.pdf, October 2015.

85%

42%50%

15%

56%50%

South West East

% r

espo

nden

ts

No Yes Don’t know

100%97%

100%

63% 63%

3%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

South West East

% r

espo

nden

ts In kind assistance

Cash

Vouchers

http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/libya_hrp_final_19_11_2015.pdf


26

indicates that a number of key winterization NFIs that would enhance the adequacy of living conditions for IDPs and other population groups during the cooler winter months were difficult to obtain at the time of assessment.

Figure 11: Reported availability of Shelter NFIs in respondents’ city/village, whole of Libya

Priority NFI Needs The top reported shelter NFI need for both the South (55%) and West of Libya (50%) was blankets, while in the East of Libya, it was fuel with a total of 26%. The second and third most commonly cited shelter NFI needs were also winterisation items, with warm clothes and portable heater cited within this category. This result can be attributed to the winter season, with colder temperatures affecting the region at the time of assessment making winterization NFIs a high priority.

Table 7: Top three priority Shelter NFI needs according to respondents, by region

Region of Libya Rank Priority Shelter NFI

South

1st Blankets

2nd Warm clothes

3rd Portable heater

West

1st Blankets

2nd Portable heater

3rd Warm clothes

East

1st Fuel

2nd Portable heater/Blankets/Warm clothes

3rd Warm clothes

There was little disparity between the REACH MSNA 2015 and February 2016 findings with regards to main electricity source. The vast majority of PwK across all regions reported that the population in their city or village relied on the main network for their main source of electricity, with 100% in the South, 98% in the West and 90% in the East citing this response in February 2016. February 2016 saw a reduction in the number of PwK reporting reliance on generators in the East of Libya, falling from 27% in June 2015 to only 9%.

17%

60% 30%

38%33%

65%

28% 33%

52%

17%

79%

30%48% 58%

64%

31%

63% 60%

30%

80%

Blankets Fuel Glasswindows

Kitchenitems

Mattress Phonecharger

Portableheater

Stove Timber Warmclothes

% r

espo

nden

ts

Not available

Available but prices high

Not difficult to obtain

Refused to answer

Don't know


27

Figure 12: Main reported source of electricity in respondents’ city/village, by region (2015/2016)

The most commonly used cooking fuel across all regions of Libya was gas mains, cited by 44% of PWKs. Electricity

was the second most commonly used cooking fuel, at 58%, and charcoal the third, at 64%.

Figure 13: Most commonly used source of cooking fuel in respondents’ city/village, whole of Libya

When asked about heating fuel, an overwhelming majority of 94% reported electricity as the number one heating

fuel used by people in their community. This was followed by 52% citing charcoal as the second most commonly

used heating fuel and 30% stating that there was no third type of heating fuel used. The prevalence of electricity

usage for cooking and heating suggests that the electricity mains continues to function in Libya, despite power

plants in some parts of the country sustaining damage due to conflict-related damage.21

21 Reuters, http://www.reuters.com/article/us-libya-security-idUSKCN0UN0LN20160109, January 2016.

98% 98%

70%

100% 98% 90%

27%

South West East South West East

Jun-15 Feb-16

% r

espo

nden

ts

No electricity source Main network Generator

4%13%

44%

6%

2%

19%

58%

12%

1%

22%

64%

34%

8% 3%

First most used Second most used Third most used

% r

espo

nden

ts

Bottled gas

Charcoal

Electricity

Gas mains

Heating mains

None

Don't know

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-libya-security-idUSKCN0UN0LN20160109


28

Figure 14: Most commonly used heating fuels in respondents’ city/village, whole of Libya

Water, Hygiene and Sanitation The HNO reports that an estimated 680,000 people in need of humanitarian assistance to meet their basic water

and sanitation needs, lacking access to potable drinking water and essential hygiene and sanitation items.22 The

protracted armed conflict and regular bombardments have resulted in significant disruptions to the main water

network, with public water infrastructure damaged and in urgent need of rehabilitation. Wastewater treatment is

also a major challenge, given that some areas of Libya remain disconnected from sewerage systems, especially

in severely affected neighbourhoods hosting IDPs, refugees, asylum-seekers and migrants.

Source of drinking water The most commonly reported main source of drinking water remained unchanged between the June 2015 and

February 2016, with the majority of PwK citing the main water network in both REACH MSNAs across all regions

of Libya (see Table 3). However, there was a shift in the second and third reported drinking water sources, with

16% citing bottled water in June 2015 compared to only 1% in February 2016. Water trucking, meanwhile, remained

at 8%, rising from third to second most commonly reported main drinking water source in February 2016.

Table 8: Main reported source of drinking water in respondents’ city/village, by region in 2015 & 2016

Main source of drinking water:

Jun-15 Feb-16


Main network 83% 54% 67% 80% 77% 88%

Water trucking 0% 10% 14% 5% 13% 5%

Closed well 2% 10% 8% 0% 2% 0%

Bottled water 15% 23% 12% 0% 2% 0%

Open well 0% 4% 0% 5% 3% 3%

Protected spring 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0%

Surface water/unprotected spring

0% 0% 0% 5% 0% 1%

Rainwater 0% 0% 0% 0% 3% 0%

Other 0% 0% 0% 5% 0% 4%

22 HNO Libya 2015.

3%

30%20%

21%94%

2%

2%

2%

52%

28%

12% 8%

First most used Second most used Third most used

% r

espo

nden

ts

Bottled gas

Charcoal

Electricity

Gas mains

Kerosene

None

Don't know


29

Perceptions of water quality are reported to have improved since the June 2015 MSNA. In February 2016, 80% of PwK in the South, 87% in the West and 95% in the East stated that water was fine to drink. A very limited proportion of PwK reported that water tasted or smelled bad or was coloured, compared to a much higher response rate for this indicator in the June 2015 MSNA, with 84% of PwK in the South, 21% in the West and 46% in the East, as Figures 15 & 16 illustrate. It should be noted, however, that the proportion of respondents reporting that people became sick after drinking water rose from 0% to 10% in the South of Libya in February 2016.

Figure 15: Perceived drinking water quality in respondents’ city/village, by region (June 2015)

% respondents

Figure 16: Perceived drinking water quality in respondents’ city/village, by region (February 2016)

% respondents

Improved perceptions of water quality may be linked to an increase in the reported presence of water quality monitoring in the community in two out of the three assessed regions in Libya. In the East and the West, where there was a notable rise in the proportion of PwK reporting water quality monitoring, with 65% and 37% citing this response respectively.

0%

0%

84%

16%

Don't know

People got sick afterdrinking the water

Water tastes/smellsbad/ coloured

Water is fine to drink

South

0%

6%

21%

73%

West

0%

2%

46%

52%

East

5%

10%

5%

80%

Don't know

People got sick afterdrinking the water

Water tastes/smellsbad/ coloured

Water is fine to drink

South

0%

0%

2%

87%

West

11%

1%

4%

95%

East


30

Figure 17: Reported presence of water quality monitoring in respondents’ city/village, by region (2015/2016)

A larger proportion of PwK across all regions reported a reduction in the volume of safe drinking water available in

their city or village in the 30 days prior to assessment in June 2015 compared to February 2016. This significant

disparity may be explained, at least in part, by the fact that the 2015 MSNA was conducted during the summer,

and due to the hot climate a greater reduction in the volume of safe drinking water was reported during the 30 days

prior to the assessment than in February 2016. However, other exogenous factors, such as sustained damage to

the main water network and limited fuel supplies are also likely to have affected this outcome.

Figure 18: Reported reductions in the volume of safe drinking water in their city/village during the 30 days prior to assessment, by region (2015/2016)

For PwK citing a reduction in the volume of safe water, the top reason for this was a lack of electricity, with 56%

indicating this response. This serves to highlight that shortcomings in the electricity network can have an adverse

effect on both Shelter and WASH basic needs in Libya. This was followed by 40% reporting that the public water

system was damaged ad a further 27% indicating damage to water treatment stations, suggesting that the primary

drinking water source supplying all three regions of Libya has come under severe strain, requiring intensified

maintenance and repair efforts.

5%

22%

19%

5%

37%

65%

South

West

East

South

West

East

Jun-

15F

eb-1

6

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%


Jun-15 Feb-16

% r

espo

nden

ts

Yes

No

Don't know


31

Map 3: Reported reductions to the volume of safe water available in assessed communities, whole of Libya

Figure 19: Reported reasons for reduction in volume of safe drinking water, whole of Libya

7%

7%

22%

27%

40%

56%

Other

Lack of chlorine treatment

Lack of fuel for pumping station

Water treatment station damaged

Public water system damaged

Lack of electricity

% respondents


32

Sanitation To gauge the provision of sanitation services in the community, respondents were asked to indicate the status of

sewerage system functionality in their city or village. The most commonly cited response for South, West and East

Libya was that the sewerage system was functioning at pre-conflict level, with 35%, 56% and 34% of PwK from

each respective region. Nevertheless, responses varied considerably according to region, and, overall, 17%

reported that the sewerage system was not connected, while 15% reported that the system was damaged. What

is more, 20% of PwK in the South stated that there was no access to sewerage in their community, compared to

5% in the East and 0% in the West. These results highlight the urgency of vital repairs and rehabilitation of the

wider sewerage network in Libya, without which communities are in danger of facing deteriorating sanitation

conditions and water contamination, which may already represent a severe public health risk in some areas,

particularly those currently reported to be disconnected from a sewerage system.

Figure 20: Reported level of sewerage system functionality in respondents’ city/village, by region

0%

20%

10%

0%

20%

15%

35%

Don’t know

No access to sewerage

No, system flooded

No, partially connected

No, not connected

No, system damaged

Yes functioning atpreconflict level

South

15%

0%

2%

3%

18%

6%

56%

West

3%

5%

6%

14%

16%

23%

34%

East


33

Map 4: Reported functionality of sewerage system in assessed locations, whole of Libya

Availability of WASH-related items Almost all WASH NFIs were reported to be available in South, West and East Libya, however, the majority were cited as being highly priced. The three WASH NFIs that were most commonly cited as difficult to obtain due to high prices across all regions were baby diapers (93%), soap (71%) and washing powder (66%). When disaggregating by region, the WASH NFI most commonly cited as not available at all in the South and the West was chlorine for disinfecting drinking water, with 30% and 11% respectively, while in the East it was tanks of 500-1000 litre capacity, with 5% of respondents indicating this response.

Overall, the availability of hygiene and sanitation products was notably lower in the South than in the West and East of Libya. Paired with the 20% of Southern PwK reporting the absence of any connection to a sewerage system, this could contribute to a severe decline in WASH conditions in the region. The comparatively lower availability of WASH NFIs in the South may be attributed to lower access levels in the region due to distance and other logistical constraints inhibiting supply routes.


34

Figure 21: Reported availability of WASH-related items in respondents’ city/village, whole of Libya

Solid waste management As increased urbanisation occurs, and IDPs flock to major cities there is an urgent need for the establishment of an urban development plan in Libya to deal with issues such as solid waste management.23 As resources become stretched and local authorities overburdened, there is a risk that municipal services, including solid waste management could deteriorate over time. While the most commonly cited type of solid waste management across all regions of Libya was that garbage is collected by waste management services in both June 2015 and February 2016, some PwK continued to report negative coping strategies in their communities for dealing with the disposal of solid waste. Most notably, there was an increase in the proportion of PwK in South and East Libya stating that the main form of solid waste disposal was for garbage to be left in the street or public areas, rising from 21% in June 2015 to 25% in February 2016 in the South, and from 25% to 38% in the East. What is more there was a rise in the proportion of PwK reporting that garbage in their community was buried or burned for the South, West and East of Libya. These changes over time are indicative of a decline in the provision of solid waste disposal municipal services.

23 WHO, Country cooperation strategy for WHO and Libya, <http://www.who.int/countryfocus/cooperation_strategy/ccs_lby_en.pdf>

34%

6%

22%

35% 35%27%

23% 41%34%

93%

36%53% 62%

71% 65%

59%66%

% r

espo

nden

ts

Not available

Available, but prices high

Not difficult to obtain

Don't know

Refused to answer


35

Figure 22: Main reported type of solid waste disposal during the last 30 days, by region (2015/2016)

Protection An estimated 2.44 million people in Libya are currently in need of vital protection assistance.24 The sharp increase in IDPs has placed a great deal of strain on host communities, with only limited protection services available to those who need them. There is a lack of capacity to identify and adequately respond to cases of Gender Based Violence (GBV), which remain underreported. Meanwhile, the transient status of IDPs and their limited level of access to basic needs as sourced of livelihoods puts them at great risk of rights violations.

Relationship between host community and IDPs The continuing conflict in Libya has added to burgeoning needs, diminishing resources and limited access to livelihoods, the rising number of IDPs across the country thereby represent a growing concern and a potential threat to social cohesion and resilience, particularly in urban centres. PwK were asked to indicate the perceived level of social cohesion in their community. They reported on how receptive the host community was to IDPs and if there were already existing tensions between the two population groups. The majority of PwK stating that the host community was receptive and would be for a long period of time, at 66% overall. Some disparities can be observed when disaggregating by region, with a notably higher proportion of respondents reporting the existence of tensions between host community and IDPs in the South of Libya, at 17% compared to 4% in the East and 0% in the West.25 Meanwhile, almost a third of PwK in the East and West of Libya (31%) reported that the host community would remain receptive for a limited period only. These results suggest that the host community is only able to absorb a certain number of IDPs before becoming over-burdened, with the long-term outlook less than optimistic for inter-communal relations between IDPs and host community in some areas.

24 HNO Libya 2015. 25 Given that the majority of PwK who participated in this assessment came from the host community the existence of tensions with IDP communities may be underreported.

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%


Jun-15 Feb-16

% r

espo

nden

ts

Garbage is disposed of at designatedwaste management site

Garbage is buried or burned

Garbage is left in the street or publicareas

Garbage collected by wastemanagement service

Don't know


36

Figure 23: Perceived status of relationship between Host Community and IDPs, by region

Loss of documentation Identity documents often are lost, destroyed or confiscated in conflict affected countries, particularly where

displacement occurs.26 Large scale displacement of IDPs in Libya entails an increased risk of lost legal

documentation for families relocating to new areas due to the ongoing conflict, as important records are lost in

transit or left behind in IDPs area of origin. Respondents were asked if they knew of families living in their city or

village who had lost legal documentation. Most notably, there was a considerable increase in the proportion of

PwK reporting that families living in their community had lost legal documentation in the East and West of Libya.

In June 2015 59% of PwK in West Libya and 72% in East Libya reported that some families had lost legal

documentation in their community, compared to 90% and 88% respectively in February 2016. The protracted

conflict will continue to exacerbate this protection concern, with IDPs particularly vulnerable given their transient

status.

Figure 24: Reported awareness of families who have lost legal documentation, by region (2015/2016)

Difficulty registering newborns The majority of PwK (65%) did not report that population groups in their community had faced challenges in

registering newborns in their city or village. However, of the 29% reporting this issue, the majority (53%) stated

that this was because people were unclear about how the process worked, or lacked information on how to register

26 UNHCR handbook for the protection of IDPs, <http://www.unhcr.org/4c2355229.pdf>

0%

17%

17%

67%

3%

0%

31%

66%

0%

4%

31%

65%

Don't know

Tensions between host community and IDPs

Host community receptive for limited period

Host community receptive for long period

% respondents

East

West

South

100%

59%

72%

90% 90% 88%


Jun-15 Feb-16

% r

espo

nden

ts


37

newborns. This was followed by 23% reporting that people were refused by registration entities and 21% stating

that difficulties were faced due to long waiting periods or due to people being unaware of where to register.

Figure 25: Respondents reporting difficultly registering newborns in assessed communities, whole of Libya

Access to Protection Services

Easily accessible Protection services are vital to ensure the safety, dignity and rights of Libyans affected by the

ongoing armed conflict, particularly those with a higher level of vulnerability. According to respondents, certain

protection services were more difficult to access than others, most notably psychosocial services, with almost a

third (30%) of PwK indicating that this service was not available in their community. Regarding the mental health

context in Libya, according to general estimates following humanitarian emergencies, the Word Health

Organization (WHO) predicts that many people will experience psychological distress reactions, while the number

of people with common mental disorders (e.g. depression) may have doubled since the onset of the crisis.27 This

underlines the importance of accessible psychosocial services across the country. Women’s and children’s centres

had the second highest rate of reported unavailability at 27%, indicating a lack of safe spaces for both vulnerable

groups (see Figure 27).

Figure 26: Reported ease of access to core protection services in respondents’ city/village, whole of Libya

Safety in the community To gauge perceptions of safety in the community according to specific locations, respondents were asked to

indicate the level of safety for girls, boys, women and men in place of residence, neighbourhood, going to and from

27 IMC Libya, Mental health and psychosocial support assessment report, http://internationalmedicalcorps.org/document.doc?id=239, November 2011.

6%

65%

29% Don’t know

No

Yes

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

40%

45%

50%

% r

espo

nden

ts

Very easy

Easy

Difficult

Very difficult

Service not available

Don't know

http://internationalmedicalcorps.org/document.doc?id=239


38

the market and mosque. Findings show that the majority of PwK considered that all four groups felt either somewhat

safe or very safe in all locations (see Figure 28 and 29). There was only a slight disparity when disaggregating by

gender, with male adults and children reported by PwK to feel marginally safer across all locations.

Figure 27: Perceived safety of areas in the community for women and men, whole of Libya

Very unsafe Somewhat unsafe Somewhat safe Very safe

Women Men Women Men Women Men Women Men

Place of residence

6% 6% 19% 19% 41% 36% 32% 38%

Neighbourhood 7% 7% 15% 10% 43% 41% 33% 40%

Going to market

4% 4% 14% 13% 44% 39% 38% 44%

Going to mosque

4% 4% 10% 10% 44% 45% 38% 39%

Figure 28: Perceived safety of areas in the community for boys and girls, whole of Libya

Very unsafe Somewhat unsafe Somewhat safe Very safe

Girls Boys Girls Boys Girls Boys Girls Boys

Place of residence

6% 6% 19% 17% 40% 37% 33% 38%

Neighbourhood 7% 7% 14% 9% 41% 40% 33% 41%

Going to market

4% 3% 14% 12% 44% 40% 37% 44%

Going to mosque

4% 2% 10% 9% 45% 38% 39% 49%

Reported threats to personal safety & security The breakdown of law and order in Libya has led to an escalation in general insecurity and turmoil which continues to present a wide range of threats to the personal safety and security of all population groups. Respondents were asked to report if they knew of anyone in their city or village who had been exposed to theft, threatening behaviour whether physical or verbal, assault, kidnapping or any other threats or dangers. Due to the acute context in Libya, questions concerning the recruitment of children into armed groups were deemed too sensitive to include in this assessment. The top three most commonly reported crimes were theft (32%), threatening behaviour physical or verbal (30%) and assault (27%). There was a great deal of variability according to region, with prevalence of reported threats to personal safety and security significantly higher in the South for all types of threat, with the majority of PwK from this region (60%) citing incidents of theft and assault in their community.

Figure 29: Reported exposure of people in respondents’ city/village to specific threats, by region

Type of threat: South West East

Theft 60% 10% 43%

Threatening behaviour physical/verbal 50% 16% 35%

Assault 60% 5% 36%

Kidnapping 30% 5% 25%

Other threat or danger 0% 0% 23%


39

PwK specifying one or more of the above threats were then asked if children and/or adolescents (under the age of 18 years) had been the victims of any of these crimes. The majority (53%) indicated that under-18s had indeed been among the victims of these threats.

Figure 30: Respondents reporting that children and/or adolescents (under 18 years old) were the victim of specified threats to personal safety & security

Risk of landmines/UXOs/small arms The ongoing conflict in Libya has resulted in widespread landmines and unexploded ordnance (UXO) across the country affecting a large number of road networks and communities.28 Furthermore, rising insecurity has led to the proliferation of small arms and light weapons (SALW), which have become widely available. The prevalence of landmines/UXO and SALW has led to accidents and increased the number of violent crimes perpetrated across Libya, with urban centres most severely affected. Respondents were asked to indicate if landmines/UXO were present in their city or village within close proximity to houses and/or workplaces. There was a considerable decline in the proportion of PwK reporting the presence of landmines/UXO in their community between June 2015 and February 2016 in the South and East of Libya, while only a 2% decrease was observed in the response rate for West Libya. The East remained the region with PwK most commonly reporting the presence of this danger with 48% compared to 25% in the South and 10% in the West.

Figure 31: Reported presence of landmines/UXO close to housing/workplaces, by region (2015/2016)

28 Handicap International, SALW risk awareness project in Libya, Mine action and armed violence reduction, <http://www.gichd.org/fileadmin/GICHD/topics/development/ma_development-2/AVR/AVR-Libya-case-study-Sep2012.pdf>, September 2012.

53%43%

4%

Yes

No

Don’t know

66%

12%

79%

25%

10%

48%

South West East

% r

espo

nden

ts

Jun-15 Feb-16

http://www.gichd.org/fileadmin/GICHD/topics/development/ma_development-2/AVR/AVR-Libya-case-study-Sep2012.pdf


40

Map 5: Reported presence of landmines/UXOs in assessed communities, whole of Libya

When asked to report whether they had knowledge of injuries and deaths resulting from landmines/UXO and SALW, the majority of PwK cited incidents linked to small arms with a small proportion indicating injuries and deaths caused by landmines/UXO. The reported incidence of injuries and deaths linked to landmines/UXO was particularly high in the South of Libya, with 45% and 44% citing these types of occurrence respectively. Meanwhile, the reported incidence of injuries and deaths resulting from SALW was particularly acute in the South and West of the country according to PwK.

Figure 32: Reported incidence of injuries and deaths by landmines/UXO and small arms, by region

20% 20%

80%85%

10%15%

63%

53%

45% 44%

88%84%

Injuries by landmines/UXO Deaths by landmines/UXO Injuries by small arms Deaths by small arms

% r

espo

nden

ts

South West East


41

Adult males were reported to be disproportionately at risk of injury and death by landmines/UXO and SALW compared to all other demographic groups. This may be explained by their greater degree of participation in, and exposure to armed conflict in Libya. Child males were also more commonly reported as victims of injury and/or death by landmines/UXO and SALW. This may be attributed to their higher levels of access to conflict affected areas compared to female counterparts.

Map 6: Reported incidence of death by small arms in assessed communities, whole of Libya

Table 9: Reported victims of injuries and deaths by landmines/UXO and SALW in assessed locations, by demographic group, whole of Libya

Reported incidence of death/injury Child female (under 18)

Child male (under 18)

Adult female (18+)

Adult male (18+)

Injuries by landmines/UXO 46% 70% 28% 74%

Deaths by landmines/UXO 40% 56% 27% 77%

Injuries by small arms 42% 45% 40% 94%

Deaths by small arms 32% 42% 38% 96%

In spite of the reportedly high incidence of injury and death resulting from these threats, the majority of PwK reported that they were aware of messaging in their community about the dangers of landmines/UXO and SALW, with 51% and 60% of all PwK citing this response respectively. However, a much lower proportion of PwK indicated that families in their community were attending risk awareness sessions, with 25% for landmines/UXO and 28% for SALW.


42

GBV and available support services Gender based violence (GBV) is a sensitive issue that is rarely discussed publically in Libyan society, and is therefore likely to go underreported by victims and witnesses alike.29 Yet, it is widely acknowledged that conflict is responsible for perpetuating domestic violence and other forms of GBV. For this reason, respondents were asked to indicate if they were aware of cases of violence against women and/or girls in their community. When disaggregating by gender of KI, the majority of females (53%) reported that they were aware of violence of women and girls, while a minority of males (10%) cited this response. Female PwK may feel more comfortable reporting this type of issue than their male counterparts, as it relates directly to their demographic.

Figure 33: Reported awareness of violence against women/girls in their city/village, whole of Libya

Violence against women is likely to be underreported by both sexes, however male PwK indicate lower awareness of GBV issues in their community. PwK indicating the presence of GBV reported that women and girls who had experienced violence most commonly sought and obtained support from the local authorities, with 52% citing this response. In terms of service provision, only 32% of all respondents considered that services for women and girls who had experience violence were sufficient or very sufficient, with female PwK reporting a higher level of insufficiency than their male counterparts.

Disabilities and special needs PwK were asked to report on the prevalence of different types of disability in their community, using the UN-approved Washington Group approach.30 Difficulty seeing was the most commonly reported type of disability, with 47% of PwK stating that this disability was common or very common. The World Health Organisation estimates that approximately 1.2 percent of the Libyan population is blind, mainly due to cataract.31 The second most commonly reported disability was difficulty with movement or walking, cited by 45% of PwK as common or very common, followed by difficulty hearing with 34% of respondents. This type of disability, like others, may well be linked to the armed conflict and presence of landmines/UXO in close proximity to houses and work places. Difficulty communicating or using language was the least commonly reported disability type with 17% of PwK indicating that its prevalence among the population in their community.

29 ACAPs Libya review, 2015 30 Disability: For this assessment the Washington Group-UN Statistics Division definitions for disability were used. Respondents were asked how common the following types of disability were in their community: Difficulty seeing, even when wearing glasses, difficulty hearing, even when wearing a hearing aid, difficulty with self-care, such as washing all over or dressing, physical difficulties including difficulty with movement, walking, difficulty communicating, because of a physical mental or emotional health condition, difficulty remembering or concentrating.

31 WHO, Country Cooperation Strategy Libya, <http://www.who.int/countryfocus/cooperation_strategy/ccsbrief_lby_en.pdf>

22%

68%

10%

11%

37%

53%

Don’t know

No

Yes

% respondents

Female PwKs

Male PwKs


43

Figure 34: Reported prevalence of disabilities/special needs in assessed locations, whole of Libya

Overall, 34% of all PwK stated that disabilities in their community were linked to SALW or landmines/UXO, with SALW more commonly cited than landmines/UXO. However, almost a third of respondents (32%) said that identified disabilities were not related to either landmines/UXO or SALW.

Figure 35: Estimated proportion of disabilities linked to landmines/UXO and/or SALW in assessed locations, whole of Libya

The reported adequacy of services for special needs among the majority PwK suggests that they remain widely inadequate and are unable to cater for people affected by disabilities. Services for people with difficulty walking were most commonly reported to be very inadequate with 21% of PwK indicating this response.

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

40%

% r

espo

nden

ts

yes, very common

yes, common

no, uncommon

no, very uncommon

don't know

4%9%

21%

32% 34%

Yes landmines/UXOonly

Yes bothlandmines/UXO and

SLW

Yes SLW only No Don’t know

% r

espo

nden

ts


44

Figure 36: Reported adequacy of services for people with special needs in assessed locations, whole of Libya

IDP self-sufficiency in the community To provide an indication of the level of self-sufficiency vis à vis vulnerability of IDPs living in the community, PwK were asked to estimate the range of self-sufficient IDP families with access to livelihoods in their city or village. The most commonly cited percentage range for all regions of Libya was that 1-25% of IDP families were self-sufficient and could access work, with 32% of PwK in the East, 52% in the West and 67% in the South. This suggests that the majority of IDP families in Libya remain dependent upon humanitarian assistance, host community support and other coping strategies to support their basic needs.

Figure 37: Estimated proportion of self-sufficient IDP families with access to work in their city/village, by region

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

40%

45%

50%

% r

espo

nden

ts

Very adequate

Adequate

Inadequate

Very inadequate

Don't know

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80%

None

Don’t know

76-100%

51-75%

26-50%

1-25%

% respondents

West

South

East


45

Livelihoods

Sources of income The most commonly cited first source of income across all regions in Libya was salaried work, with 45% of PwK in the South, 52% in the West and 78% in the East citing this response. For the second main source of income the same trend can be observed, with a pension the most commonly cited source of income for South, West and East Libya. While the national social security system represented the third main source of income for communities in the South of Libya, petty trade and small businesses were most commonly cited in West and East Libya. The fact that salaried work was the top reported source of income across Libya indicates that there is still some access to livelihoods, however limited.

Figure 38: Top three reported sources of income relied upon in respondents’ city/village, by region

Region of Libya Rank Source of income % Respondents

South

1st Salaried work 45%

2nd Pension 40%

3rd National social security system 35%

West


2nd Pension 32%

3rd Petty trade/small business 29%

East


2nd Pension 35%

3rd Petty trade/small business 21%

Respondents were asked to report major income-related challenges confronting the population in their city or village. A similar trend can be observed across the MSNA 2015 and February 2016, with the most commonly reported challenge being that salaries are not paid or are delayed. This issue can be attributed, in part, to the limited functionality of banking services in Libya – the second most commonly cited challenge to income - linked to restricted access to cash and liquidity.

Figure 39: Reported crisis-related challenges to income in assessed locations, whole of Libya (2015/2016)

The majority of PwK across all regions of Libya indicated that banking systems were only partially functional in their city or village, with an overwhelming majority of 96% citing this response in East Libya. Meanwhile, West Libya had the most commonly reported fully functional banking system at 35% followed by the South at 30%. This lack of full functional banking systems will have had a significantly negative impact on the payment of salaries as well as reducing the ability of businesses to run effectively.

9%

40% 40%

64%

38% 36%

44%

81%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

No/lack of opportunities Low wage/salary Banking system notfunctioning

Salary not paid/delayed

Jun-15 Feb-16


46

Figure 40: Reported functionality of banking system in respondents’ city/village, by region

Food Security (East Libya) Since the beginning of the crisis in Libya, food insecurity has significantly increased, affecting over 1.28 million people nationwide. This number includes over 175,000 IDPs and over 1 million non-displaced affected populations.32 Civil unrest and ongoing armed conflict has been responsible for disrupting the supply chain, procurement and distribution systems leading to food shortages across the country, particularly in urban areas and in loss of income for farmers unable to access food markets.33 Barriers and constraints to traders’ commercial supply routes, deteriorating currency exchange rates and limited access to liquidity have all contributed to limited availability of basic food items and price increases. The decrease in stable sources of income has resulted in many families relying on negative coping strategies such as buying food on credit and spending savings in order to survive. In May 2015, WFP resumed food assistance to displaced people affected by the continuing armed violence in Libya, with thousands at risk of reduced food security.34

Access to food Purchasing food remained the most commonly reported means of obtaining food for both the June 2015 and February 2016 MSNAs, with 96% and 100% of PwK respectively citing this response (see Figure 41). However, the second most commonly reported way of obtaining food shifted from receiving food from others in June 2015 at 81% to receiving food through distributions at 50% in February 2016. There was a notable drop in the proportion of respondents indicating own production as a source of food, with 38% citing this response in June 2015 compared to a mere 1% in February 2016. This may be due to seasonal crops that cannot be harvested during the winter months. Notably, in the REACH MSNA February 2016 reported ways of obtaining food are shown to be less diversified than in June 2015, potentially indicating a greater risk of food insecurity.

32 HNO Libya 2015. 33 FAO, GIEWS Country Briefs, Libya, http://www.fao.org/giews/countrybrief/country.jsp?code=LBY, June 2015. 34 Ibid.

3% 5% 5%1%

30%35%

96%

65%60%

East South West

% r

espo

nden

ts

Not functional

Fully functional

Partially functional

http://www.fao.org/giews/countrybrief/country.jsp?code=LBY


47

Figure 41: Most common reported ways of obtaining food in the last 30 days, East Libya (2015/2016)

When asked to indicate the key problems reducing food access in the community, high prices for some food items represented the top reported challenge to food access, with 95% of PwK citing this response in February 2016 compared to 68% in June 2015. Meanwhile, the second most commonly reported problem was lack of availability of cooking fuels, at 80% in February 2016 compared to 59% in June 2015.

In contrast, lack of access to markets was the least commonly cited problem affecting access to food in the 30 days prior to assessment, with only 1% of PwK indicating this reason in February 2016 compared to 11% in June 2015. Indeed, access to local markets in East Libya has reportedly not been severely affected by insecurity; with shops and markets still operating, in spite of some setbacks and challenges, such as the port of Benghazi not being fully functional.35

Figure 42: Most common food access problems in the last 30 days, East Libya (2015/2016)

35 ACAPS, Secondary Data Review: Libya, < http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/s-acaps-sdr-libya-humanitarian-impact-of-the-conflict-5-jun-2015.pdf>, June 2015.

19%

38%

0%

81%

74%

96%

0%

1%

4%

31%

50%

100%

Bartering

Own production

Other

Received from others (relatives/friends)

Received through food distributions

Purchased

% respondents

Feb-16

Jun-15

11%

20%

3%

24%

46%

59%

68%

1%

1%

23%

25%

51%

80%

95%

Lack of access to market

Local food production has decreased

Lack of access to available cooking fuel

Some food items are not available in the market

Lack of resources to buy food available in the markets

Lack of availability of cooking fuels

Some types of food are too expensive

% respondents

Feb-16

Jun-15


48

There was little change in the control over prices in East Libya in the 30 days preceding the June 2015 and February 2016, with the reported rate decreasing to 4% compared to 5% in the June 2015. This reported lack of price regulation means that the price ceiling for many basic food items will have soared since the onset of the crisis, causing widespread lack of affordability of food goods. This is evidenced by Table 10 below which indicates that PwK reported 9 out of 11 basic food items to be available but difficult to obtain due to high prices. Wheat bread and wheat flour were the food items most difficult to obtain according to PwK, with 83% and 59% stating that they were not available in the market respectively.

Table 10: Reporting availability of food items in assessed locations, East Libya (% respondents)

Food item: Not difficult to obtain Available but prices high Not available

Wheat bread 13% 5% 83%

Wheat flour 9% 33% 59%

Fortified blended food for children

6% 89% 5%

Red meat 9% 91% 0%

Oil 16% 84% 0%

Milk 18% 82% 0%

Chicken 19% 81% 0%

Sugar 25% 75% 0%

Pasta 44% 54% 3%

Tomatoes 43% 58% 0%

Onions 46% 54% 0%

Only 21% of PwK reported that subsidised foods were available in their community. Among these respondents, 71% reported that wheat flour was subsidised, 29% tomato paste and 24% sugar. Of the 21% reporting the availability of subsidised foods, 65% reported limited volume of subsidised items, 29% very limited volume and 6% a medium volume.

Figure 43: Reported availability of subsidised foods respondents’ city/village, East Libya

PwK in East Libya were asked to indicate if anyone in their city/village had to engage in food related coping strategies during the 30 days prior to the time of assessment, due to a lack of food or a lack of money to buy food. PwK reported that the population in their city or village were relying on a range of coping strategies to cover basic needs at the time of assessment, some more negative than others. The top reported coping strategy was spending savings at 51%, followed by buying food on credit and selling house or land at 30% each. The top three reported coping strategies in June 2015, meanwhile, were borrowing money (88%), buying food on credit (84%) and begging (39%). In February 2016, almost a quarter of all PwK reported that there were no coping strategies adopted by the local community at 23%. Reduced access to savings and credit due to limited banking system functionality will have decreased the population’s ability to rely on some of the most common coping strategies.

78%

21%

1%

No, not available

Yes, available

Don’t know


49

Figure 44: Reported coping strategies used to cover basic needs in the past 30 days, East Libya

Access to food assistance Persisting food security needs in Libya due to disrupted supply routes, limited incomes and high food prices mean that humanitarian actors continue to support the most vulnerable groups with food assistance on the ground. The type of food aid delivered under the Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP) in Libya can be divided into three main categories: food items, food cash vouchers and non-food utensils during the 30 days prior to assessment. Thus, respondents were asked to indicate the percentage range of IDP and Host Community members who had received each type of food assistance in their community. The majority of PwK reported that 1-25% of IDPs had received food cash vouchers (58%) and non-food utensils (55%). Meanwhile, the largest proportion of PwK (45%) indicated that 1-25% of IDPs had received food items.

Figure 45: Estimated proportion of IDPs in assessed locations in receipt of food assistance, East Libya

Compared to their IDP counterparts, a significantly lower proportion of host community members had reportedly received food assistance. The most commonly cited response was that no host community members had received support for all three categories of food assistance, 46%, compared to 8% reporting this response for IDPs.

23%

3%

3%

4%

16%

16%

26%

26%

30%

30%

51%

No coping strategy

Begging

Migration of whole family

Take children out of school

Sold household assets/goods

Borrowed money

Reduced expenditure on health/education

Sold productive assets

Sold house/land

Bought food on credit

Spent savings

% respondents

8%

12%

45%

58%

55%

22%

14%

8%

21% 5%

15%

19%

Food items

Food cash vouchers

Non-food utensils

% respondents

None

1-25%

26-50%

51-75%

76-100%

Don't know


50

Figure 46: Estimated proportion of Host community in receipt of food assistance, East Libya

Challenges to trade supply routes A multitude of constraints were reported to be affecting traders supplying markets in East Libya, with unfavourable currency exchange rates the top rated response at 91%. Libyan citizens are reported to be highly dependent on foreign currency to purchase basic foodstuffs.36 Meanwhile, the Libyan dinar can rarely be exchanged outside of the country, and therefore even wire transfers must be made in foreign currency. Strict regulations imposed by banks on foreign currency exchange, and the rise of corruption, fraud and crime against the backdrop of a prolonged power vacuum, has paved the way for an unregulated and highly volatile black market, negatively impacting the ability of traders to supply food markets.37 The second most commonly cited barrier to trader supply routes was the lack of availability of cash with 55% of PwK indicating this challenge and 26% reporting the logistical constraint of road blockages. Many areas of Libya remain largely inaccessible due to ongoing armed conflict and disrupted transport networks.

Figure 47: Most common reported constraints for traders supplying markets, East Libya

36 International Business Times, http://www.ibtimes.com/libyas-black-market-foreign-currency-exchange-healthcare-whats-table-when-exchange-2177104 October 2015. 37 Ibid.

41%

49%

48%

30%

19%

15%

10%

4%

14%

26%

33%

Food items

Food cash vouchers

Non-food utensils

% respondents

None

1-25%

26-50%

51-75%

76-100%

Don't know

3%

3%

18%

23%

23%

24%

26%

55%

91%

Other

Siege

Border closure

Damage in market infrastructure

Insecurity

Lack of access to credit

Road blockages

Lack of cash availability

Currency exchange rates

% respondents

http://www.ibtimes.com/libyas-black-market-foreign-currency-exchange-healthcare-whats-table-when-exchange-2177104


51

Infant feeding practices During armed conflicts, a series of constraints to breastfeeding and infant feeding can endanger the nutritional status of children.38 Displacement of the mother or the entire household might lead to both exhaustion and hunger in the mother, thus resulting in reduced or impaired breast-feeding practices. Trauma suffered by both mothers and infants and the sociocultural response to them can also have the same results.39 What is more, in many cultures, knowledge about breast-feeding is passed on from generation to generation and this knowledge transfer can be lost, especially if families are broken up during displacement. When PwK were asked to report on infant feeding practices, the largest proportion of PwK (40%) reported that mothers in the community exclusively breastfeed their children for an average period of more than 6 months. A further 35% cited the period of 4-6 months, while 5% indicated that they did not know or refused to answer.

Figure 48: Average reported length of breastfeeding by mothers in assessed communities, East Libya

The vast majority of respondents (96%) in East Libya stated that semi-solid foods were the type of food most commonly introduced to infants, while a further 4% reported that both semi-solid and solid foods were introduced to infants (see Figure 50), with this indicator collected for children aged 6 months to a year. Overall, 90% indicated that solid foods are introduced to infants beyond 6 months, while 4% responded 4-6 months. The remaining 6% of PwK did not know or declined to provide an answer.

Figure 49: Reported types of food most commonly introduced to infants, East Libya

Child feeding levels were reported to have dropped since the onset of the crisis with a majority of 61% stating that children were now feeding less than before. Of this 61%, 100% reported that this decrease in child feeding was due to the lack of affordability of food items, while 39% also stated that it was because of a lack of availability of

38 FAO, Study on the impact of armed conflicts on the nutritional status of children, <http://www.fao.org/docrep/005/w2357e/W2357E05.htm> 39 Ibid.

1%

4%

1%

1%

18%

35%

40%

Refused toanswer

Don’t know

Do not breastfeed

0-1 month

2-3 months

4-6 months

More than 6months

% respondents

96%

4%

Semi solid foods

Solid foods & semi solid foods


52

foods. This indicates that some children residing in East Libya who have been negatively impacted by the plethora of barriers to adequate food access now have a lower level of food intake as a direct result of the ongoing conflict.

Figure 50: Reported level of child food consumption in assessed locations compared to before the crisis, East Libya

Education (East Libya) According to Libya’s Ministry of Education, 150,000 children are now at risk of missing out on an education as a

result of the continuing conflict.40 The conflict has led to a decrease in school enrolment rates, and new barriers to

accessing education, such as schools being used to house IDPs, and general insecurity rendering school routes

treacherous for children. Across the country a large number of formal schools have sustained damage or been

destroyed completely by random shelling and other forms of armed conflict, putting children and their right to an

education at risk.

Functionality of formal education facilities A comparison between June 2015 and February 2016 REACH MSNA findings shows that the proportion of PwK reporting access to primary and secondary schools remained largely unchanged, with only a marginal disparity in results. Yet, there was a notable increase in the proportion of PwK reporting that universities were accessible in their community, rising from 46% in June 2015 to 76% in February 2016. This may be due, at least in part, to shifting levels of insecurity in areas surrounding university facilities, and also to fluctuating staffing levels and access routes. The proportion of education facilities reported to be available remains less than optimal, with a significant number of children and youths likely to be at risk of having their education pathway disrupted or missing out on a formal education altogether.

40 HNO Libya 2015.

61%

30%

8%

1%

Less than before Same as before Don’t know More than before

% r

espo

nden

ts


53

Map 7: Reported functionality of primary schools in assessed communities, East Libya

Map 8: Reported functionality of secondary schools in assessed communities, East Libya


54

Overall, 69% of PwK in East Libya reported that 81-100% of school-aged children were attending formal school at

the time of assessment, followed by 20% reporting formal attendance rates at 61-80% of school-aged children

(see Figure 55). This suggests that in spite of significant barriers to accessing education and dropping enrolment

rates, the majority of school-aged children (0-17 years) remain in formal education.

Figure 51: Estimated formal school attendance rates in respondents’ city/village, East Libya

Reasons for lack of school attendance With regards to formal schooling the most commonly cited reason for lack of school attendance in the three months

prior to assessment was that schools were being used for another purpose, with 50% of PwK in East Libya citing

this response. This also represented the top reported reason for children not attending school in June 2015, with

41% of PwK citing this response. 100% of the respondents indicating that school facilities were used for another

purpose stated that schools were being used as improvised IDP shelters. It is worth noting that, in February 2016

security concerns overtook other commonly reported challenges to access from June 2015, with 35% reporting

that the route to school was unsafe and a further 28% indicating that unsafe school buildings were a key barrier to

access for children not attending formal school in the community.

Table 11: Top reported reasons for school non-attendance by school-aged children, East Libya (2015/2016)

June 2015 February 2016

Reason for lack of access % Respondents Reason for lack of access % Respondents

Ranked 1 School facilities are being used for other purpose

41% School facilities are being used for other purpose

50%

Ranked 2 Latrines not functional/shared

30% Route to school unsafe 35%

Ranked 3 Lack of teaching staff

25% School building unsafe 28%

5%

6%

20%

69%

0-20%

41-60%

61-80%

81-100%

% respondents

prop

ortio

n of

sch

ool-a

ge c

hild

ren

atte

ndin

g fo

rmal

edu

catio

n


55

Figure 52: Most commonly reported reasons for school-aged children not attending school in the last three months, East Libya

There was little disparity in the proportion of PwK reporting schools affected by lack of teachers between June

2015 and February 2016, with the largest change observed in the percentage of respondents indicating that many

schools were affected by this issue in their community, decreasing from 15% in June 2015 to just 6% in February

2016. The majority of PwK in bother assessments stated that no schools were affected by a lack of teachers (see

Figure 52).

Figure 53: Reported proportion of formal schools affected by a lack of teachers, East Libya (2015/2016)

There was a degree of variability between REACH MSNA findings in terms of the proportion of schools reported

to be damaged or destroyed by the ongoing conflict, with a considerable increase in the proportion of PwK reporting

damaged schools in February 2016 compared to June 2015 (see Figure 53). Some 30% of respondents reported

that a few schools in their community had been damaged in June 2015 rising to 43% in February 2016, while 11%

of respondents indicated that many schools had been damaged in June 2015 almost doubling to 21% in February

2016. This suggests that continuing shelling campaigns and armed conflict have contributed to the further

deterioration of education infrastructure in East Libya.

0%

0%

0%

0%

1%

1%

3%

4%

4%

8%

8%

9%

18%

28%

35%

50%

Violence against children at school

Parents do not approve of curriculum

Lack of female teachers

Early marriage

Latrines are not functional or shared

Discrimination

Distance to school is too far

Lack of transportation

Lack of teaching staff

No space at school for new pupils

Lack of school supplies

Can’t afford to send children to school

School facilities have been destroyed

School buildings unsafe

Route to school is unsafe

School facilities used for other purpose

% respondents

0%

5%

15%

22%

58%

3%

3%

6%

25%

64%

Don't know

Yes, all of them

Yes, many

Yes, but very few

No, none

% respondents

Feb-16

Jun-15


56

Figure 54: Estimated proportion of formal schools destroyed or damaged by conflict, East Libya (2015/2016)

The length of school-time most commonly reported as missed by the majority of out-of-school children was 1-3

months, with 24% of PwK in East Libya citing this response. However, some cause for concern is the next most

commonly cited time period out-of-school, at 23%, which was more than one year.

Figure 55: Estimated schooling missed by most out-of-school children in assessed locations, East Libya

Early Recovery (East Libya) According to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), ‘Early recovery is a multidimensional process of recovery that begins in a humanitarian setting. It is an integrated and coordinated approach, using humanitarian mechanisms, to gradually turn the dividends of humanitarian action into sustainable crisis recovery, resilience building and development opportunities.’41 While Libya remains one of the most hydrocarbon dependent economies in the world, with oil revenue accounting for more than 80 percent of state revenues, early recovery has been hampered by the fall in oil exports, which represents the primary source of income for the country.42 The Libyan economy has been in recession since 2013 as a result of disrupted oil production and exports, and exacerbated by a series of strikes and security breaches at oil sites, a number of which have been perpetrated by IS.43 Furthermore, the government’s high budget deficit and lack of capacity threaten to undermine progress on a number of fronts. Within this tumultuous context, municipalities have been unable to fulfil their mandates in assuming a greater role in service provision which would allow them to mitigate the wider impact of the conflict.

41 UNDP,Early Recovery, <http://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/ourwork/crisispreventionandrecovery/focus_areas/early-recovery.html> 42 HNO Libya 2015. 43 World Bank, Libya overview, http://www.worldbank.org/en/country/libya/overview, September 2015.

2%

11%

30%

57%

0%

21%

43%

36%

Yes, all of them

Yes, many

Yes, but very few

No, none

% respondents

Feb-16

Jun-15

6%

4%

21%

23%

23%

24%

Don’t know

4-6 months

7-12 months

Less than one month

More than one year

1-3 months

% respondents

http://www.worldbank.org/en/country/libya/overview


57

Repairs to community infrastructure There was little change observed over time to the proportion of PwK reporting a lack of necessary repairs to basic

infrastructure in the 6 months prior to assessment remaining almost the same. The majority of respondents

indicated that necessary repairs to basic infrastructure had not been carried out in the last 6 months in East Libya,

with 89% of PwK citing this response in June 2015 compared to 88% in February 2016.

Figure 56: Respondents reporting if necessary repairs have been conducted to basic infrastructure in their city/village over the last 6 months, East Libya (2015/2016)

Reported access to community infrastructure With regards to levels of community access to basic infrastructure, town halls were cited as the most difficult facility

to access, with a total 44% of PwK stating that there was no access to this type of infrastructure in their city of

village. In contrast, mosques were indicated to have the highest level of access, with almost all PwK in East Libya

(96%) reporting that they were easy to access.

Figure 57: Reported access to community infrastructure in respondents’ city/village, by type, East Libya

Reported damage to basic infrastructure The electricity grid was most commonly reported to be partially destroyed by PwK in East Libya with a majority of

70% indicating this response. This result is corroborated by earlier findings that a lack of electricity persists in

Libya, affecting access to basic services and needs. Telecommunications and hospitals were the second and third

types of community infrastructure reported to be partially damaged, indicating significant obstacles to

communications networks and the delivery of vital health services in East Libya.

89%

11%0%

88%

11%1%

No Yes Don't know

Jun-15 Feb-16

44%

19%

10% 13%

0%

51%

60%64%

75%

96%

% r

espo

nden

ts No access

Yes access, but with difficulty

Yes, easy to access


58

Figure 58: Reported level of damage to basic community infrastructure in their city/village, by type, East Libya

Presence of rubble/debris While half of the assessed cities were reported to remain unaffected by rubble and debris, namely; Tobruk, Umm

Saad, Al Marj and Al Bayda, others were cited by some PwK as containing a degree of landmass coverage. Most

notably, Benghazi and Derna were indicated to be affected by a greater proportion of rubble and debris than all

other locations in East Libya (see Figure 59). The presence of rubble and debris will have a negative impact on

these communities, representing an additional barrier to access and acting as a potential health and safety hazard

to residents.

Figure 59: Reported proportion (%) of city landmass currently affected by rubble/debris, by city, East Libya

Cash availability There was extremely low cash availability reported across all assessed locations in East Libya, with a majority of

PwK reported limited access to cash in their community. Al Bayda had the most acute lack of liquidity with 75% of

respondents stating that there was no access to cash in their city whatsoever. A lack of liquidity in East Libya will

adversely affect the resident population, reducing access to funds and the ability to carry out important transactions

in day-to-day life to meet basic need.

70%

59% 58%

36%34% 33%

20%

Electricity grid Telecommsnetwork

Hospitals Bridges Roads to market Market places Drinking waterfacilities

% r

espo

nden

ts

No damage Partially destroyed Completely destroyed Don't know

29%

67%

32%

17%

22%

33%

24%

17%71%

100%

33%

100%

22%33%

100% 100%

Ajdabiya Al Bayda Al Kufrah Al Marj Benghazi Derna Tobruk Umm Saad

% r

espo

nden

ts

1-25% 26-50% 51-75% Don’t know None


59

Figure 60: Reported level of access to cash in assessed city/village, by city, East Libya (% respondents)

Level of access to cash:

Grand Total: Ajdabiya Al Bayda

Al Kufrah

Al Marj

Benghazi Derna Tobruk Umm Saad

Limited access to cash

65% 79% 25% 67% 100% 76% 50% 50% 33%

No access to cash

34% 21% 75% 33% 0% 22% 50% 50% 67%

Refused to answer

1% 0% 0% 0% 0% 3% 0% 0% 0%

Service provision in the community Key services were reported to be provided in the community, to varying degrees by PwK in East Libya. Educational

services and health services were most commonly reported to be provided by 66% of PwK, compared to a much

lower reported level of provision for vocational training, support to business and water supply delivery (see Figure

61). A majority of respondents reported that the key services solid waste disposal (53%) and social services (60%)

were being provided in their community.

Figure 61: Reported service provision available in respondents’ city/village, East Libya

Delay to government salaries Regular delays to government salaries were reported by the majority of PwK in East Libya, at a total of 90% with

a further 8% reporting occasional delays. Depleted government systems and structures in addition to limited

banking system functionality is likely to have contributed to this result, creating greater levels of instability for the

livelihoods of many reliant upon salaried government positions and the national social security system as a main

source of income.

66%

66%

60%

53%

41%

33%

17%

14%

34%

34%

40%

47%

59%

67%

83%

86%

Educational services

Health services

Social services

Solid waste disposal

Civil registry

Water supply delivery

Support to business

Vocational training

% respondentsService provided

Service not provided


60

Figure 62: Reporting level of delay in payment of government salaries in respondents’ city/village, East Libya

Participation in public decision making Libya’s tumultuous political context has seen elections marred by boycotts and violence, political infighting and low voter turnouts.44 In order to gauge the level of participation in local governance, respondents were asked to indicate if the population in their city or village was actively participating in public local decisions. Findings show that the majority of respondents (59%) indeed reported that community members were actively participating in public local decision making. However, when disaggregating by demographic group, it can be observed that the reported level of involvement of women is substantially lower than that of men, with only 51% reporting that women were participating in public local decision making compared to 83% for men (see Figure 65). Youths represent the middle ground with 68% of PwK reporting their active involvement. Lower female participation is likely to have been negatively impacted by the deteriorating security situation in Libya, as women may be expected to take on different roles and responsibilities during times of armed conflict, with lower levels of access to public spheres and spaces.

Figure 63: Respondents reporting active community participation in local decision making, East Libya

Figure 64: Reported active participation of demographic groups in public local decision making, East Libya

44 Human Rights Watch, World Report 2015: Libya, <https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2015/country-chapters/libya>

90%

3%8%

Regular delays

No delays reported

Occassional delays

59%28%

14%

Yes

No

Don’t know

51%

68%

83%

Women Youth Men

% r

espo

nden

ts


61

With regards to the reported prevalence of vocational training in East Libya, only 13% of respondents indicated

that this was commonly received by members of the community, compared to 59% indicating that vocational

training was not available. Vocational training represents an important conduit for livelihoods, particularly for youths

with limited educational backgrounds whose formal schooling has been interrupted by the protracted conflict in

Libya.

Figure 65: Reported prevalence of vocational training for community members in their city/village, East Libya

Encouragingly, foreign migrant workers were perceived in a positive light by the overwhelming majority of PwK in

East Libya, with 73% stating that they were very important for the economy and a further 26% indicating that they

were important in this regard. Migrant workers undoubtedly represent a vital source of human capital in Libya’s

labour market, contributing to early recovery by undertaking skilled and unskilled positions in the economy that

would otherwise remain unfilled. However, it should be noted that there has been a large outflow of migrant workers

from the country since the initial outbreak of conflict in 2011, with hundreds of thousands crossing borders into

other countries to escape the violence.45 This has led to a drain on vital resources, particularly with regards to

professionals working in the health field.

Figure 66: Perceived importance of foreign/migrant workers to the economy in assessed locations, East Libya

45 IOM, Migrants caught in crisis: the IOM experience in Libya, < https://publications.iom.int/books/migrants-caught-crisis-iom-experience-libya> 2012.

59%

13% 13%16%

No Yes, common Yes, not common Don’t know

% r

espo

nden

ts

73%

26%

1%

Very important

Important

Neutral


62

ANNEX 1: MSNA QUESTIONNAIRE LINK

The questionnaire is available here: http://www.reachresourcecentre.info/libya/libya-msna-survey-

february-2016