nlp-thedeep/humsetbias huggingface dataset:
The Import of goods into Libya has also been affected as a result of restrictions imposed by exporting countries, causing a reduction in food supply in Libya. These issues, coupled with an increase in unemployment, are reducing the capacity of households to meet their basic food needs
Migrants, internally displaced persons  ( IDPs )  and refugees are among the most affected population groups, mainly because their employment sources and opportunities have been severely reduced due to the COVID 19 containment measures. Rural Libyan farmers in the southern region of the country as well as in Benghazi have also been heavily affected. Numerous Libyans who were considered food secure before the pandemic are now facing food shortages.
The changing curfew and regulations in Libya, the ongoing clashes, and the fact that cities are taking independent decisions to restrict movement and close roads, has the potential to significantly impact the ability of humanitarian agencies to perform in Libya. Since the precautionary measures were introduced to prevent the spread of COVID 19 in Libya, humanitarian agencies reported many access constraints that were linked with the precautionary measures taken by the humanitarian agencies themselves as well as the important measures imposed by the authorities, such as putting in place curfews to take effect in order to limit movements. Some agencies have not been able to dispatch their trucks to deliver assistance because of the long distances and the violation of curfew conditions that such long movements may pose.
IDPs, refugees and migrants are expected to be the most vulnerable population groups impacted by COVID 19, mainly because their employment situation is most likely impacted, they are losing their revenue sources, their overall health situation is already weak they do not have needed access to health services. Already in HRP 2020, around half of the people in need of humanitarian assistance are IDPs, refugees and migrants in or transiting through Libya. Already FSS partners are receiving an increasing number of requests for food assistance from many municipalities and Social Affairs Offices.
While movement restrictions and curfews are in place everywhere, application seems to be varying. In Tripoli, humanitarian/emergency exclusions are in place but in Sebha, militias appear to be stopping all movements, not abiding by specific measures that are supposed to be in place to allow for emergency exclusions  ( travel to hospital etc ) . Anger is reported from all regions but the targets differ: In Benghazi, there have been protests about liquidity; inn Tripoli, anger is being directed at the Ministry of Health, while in the South, the militia presence makes it impossible to protest, even though there is anger at the 1,000% increase in the price of cooking gas  ( LYD300 vs LYD30 previously ) .
On the same day, the water valves of the Man Made River Project were shut down by an armed group in the southern region of Shwerif in Tripoli. Residents of the Greater Tripoli area and cities of the western region  ( particularly Tripoli, Tahouna, Bani Walid and Gharyan ) , home to more than 2 million people including 600,000 children, have been without water. These water cuts have coincided with power outages affecting many parts of western Libya and are likely to further result in disruptions to water flow in highly populated areas. Water systems in Libya have already been badly damaged as a result of the ongoing conflict. If Libya is to have any chance against COVID 19, the ongoing conflict and attacks on critical civilian infrastructure must come to an immediate halt.
Strong prevention measures  ( border closures, restricted movement, closures of schools, restaurants, etc. )  remain in place, some of which have been extended. Furthermore, only two testing laboratories  ( Tripoli and Benghazi )  are capable of COVID 19 diagnostics and none in the South, creating significant challenges in identifying the actual number of cases in the country. Information on designated locations and hospitals assigned to care for COVID 19 patients consistently changes, largely due to refusals from communities or armed groups in those areas to have health facilities used for COVID19 treatment, as well as health workers' refusals to care for COVID 19 patients because of insufficient protection, supplies and equipment
The integrated DTM rapid market assessment component implemented identified market closures in 95% of the areas assessed as COVID 19 public health measure along with curfews and other mobility restrictions.
The second main challenge observed before the crisis of 2011 and until 2014 was the shortage and therefore the high cost of agricultural inputs, especially seeds, pesticides and fertilizers. This problem persists today, with a steady increase in prices and a decrease in the quality of these inputs. The same was reported for agricultural tools, materials, equipment and machinery
In 50% of the municipalities assessed more than half of the grocery stores and supermarkets were reported to be closed.
Groundwater remains the main source of irrigation in the Fezzan region and in Libya in general. Most farmers, since before the crisis of 2011, were relying on the government water network and the national electrical grid to access irrigation. Electricity is necessary to access the required water and distribute it for cultivation. However, the fluctuations in energy provision and power outages experienced since 2011, and the damage to the water networks, have caused water shortages that are considered the main challenge for crop production. The problem related to electricity reportedly existed even before the crisis of 2011 but the protracted conflict in the country has only further amplified this problem. Farmers also indicated that although irrigation networks existed prior to 2011, they always lacked proper government maintenance and follow up work to expand their coverage and effectiveness.
Similar to crop production, the main challenges experienced in fruit tree production since before 2011 were electricity fluctuations, which caused water shortages and irrigation interruptions, a lack of inputs, especially pesticides and fertilizers, which led to outbreaks of pests and diseases, and the absence and/or high cost of agricultural labour. The unavailability or high cost of seedlings and the difficulties in accessing the markets to sell agricultural products were also mentioned as a recurrent challenge, especially between 2014 and 2019.
Pests and diseases affecting crops and stocks of agricultural produce have been also reported as an issue affecting productivity. This also reportedly began before the beginning of the crisis of 2011. This is probably due to the lack of pesticides, their high cost, change in weather patterns, and the absence of safe and functional storage facilities and materials  ( bags, containers, etc. ) . Another main challenge mentioned by the farming HHs interviewed – especially those with access to larger agricultural land – was the lack of skilled agricultural labour and the high cost of available labour. This pattern remains relatively unchanged, with an overall reported lack of skilled and unskilled labor, which further increases labour costs.
The scarcity and increased price of fodder coupled with irregular or no access to water were mentioned as the main problems affecting livestock production. The lack of veterinary services, the outbreaks of disease and the unavailability and high price of veterinary drugs and vaccines were also described as important limiting factors for livestock production. The shortage of liquidity to buy necessary inputs, including medicine, fodder and live animals was experienced by most livestock herders prior to the crisis of 2011 up until today. Similar to crop and fruit tree production, the absence of labour for taking care of animals was also mentioned as one of the main constraints for productivity. High transportation costs and large distances to the markets were recorded as additional challenges in this sub sector.
56% of migrants reported having to compromise their food intake, in the majority of cases to save money
Access to health services emerged as a critical constraint for the majority of interviewed migrants who reported having limited or no access to health services.
Of the 99 confirmed cases, 5 patients have died, 40 have recovered and 54 are under follow up. Most confirmed cases are in Tripoli  ( 54 including 3 deaths )  followed by Sebha  ( 19 ) , Misrata  ( 10 ) , Benghazi  ( 4 ) , Zliten  ( 4 ) , Al Jafara  ( 3 ) , Surman  ( 1 ) , Yefren  ( 1 ) , A Zawiya  ( 1 ) , Subrata  ( 1 )  and Bani waleed  ( 1 ) .
Food security, which was already a challenge for migrants, is being compromised by a deteriorating security situation and the threat of COVID 19 and its socioeconomic impacts, which include the lack of daily casual labour opportunities.
South Libya has reported its first two cases of COVID 19. Tests were conducted in Sebha using a GeneXpert machine
The continuing lack of supplies remains an overriding concern. Although some supplies have been received, the Ministry of Health  ( MoH )  has not shared its distribution plan with WHO. Many health workers, especially in the south, are refusing to report for duty because they have no PPE.
Food consumption levels, which are measured by the frequency and diversity of foods consumed over the past seven days, were generally low for nearly one in three migrants  ( 32% )  interviewed.
The conflict continues. Clashes between two armed groups reportedly occurred in Albreigha Hospital  ( Ejdabiya district ) . The United Nations Support Mission in Libya  ( UNSMIL )  issued a statement condemning the use of improvised explosive devices against civilians in some areas in Tripoli.
The International Organization for Migration  ( IOM )  deplores the killing of 30 migrants in a shooting yesterday  ( 27/05 )  involving a trafficker in Libya.
32% had inadequate food consumption level
The coping strategy adoption analysis confirms that the disruption of livelihoods caused by measures implemented to curb the spread of the COVID 19 pandemic can hamper resilience and living standards and increase migrants' vulnerability to food insecurity. Nearly two thirds  ( 65% )  of migrants surveyed had to resort to a stress, crisis or emergency livelihood coping strategy in the past 30 days due to a lack of food or means to buy food.
31% had to resort to a crisis or emergency livelihood coping strategy due to a lack of food or means to buy food
The Presidential Council extended Friday the curfew but decreased hours to be from 9.00 pm to 6.00 am, removing Friday and Saturday total curfews. It also allowed some mosque prayers and loosened shutdown measures for some businesses.
17% of interviewed respondents with severe or extreme sectoral needs and/or extreme use of negative coping strategies to cover basic needs, were found to have severe or extreme sectoral needs in health alone.
The targeted provinces/cities are all in the East of Libya, where the people are moving to leave the conflict areas in the West. These are the concerned areas: Benghazi, Ajdabiya, Al Bayda, Shahat, Bani Waled
According to local sources, food and other essential goods are also still available in Tarhuna and Sirt and shops are opening, although goods are arriving less frequently. In Bani Waleed there has been reports of fuel shortages. In Tarhuna, most shops are open during the day but close from 6 p.m. due to security concerns and there are a number of reported checkpoints in the city.
In a resolution passed late on Monday, the Tobruk HoR authorized “Egyptian armed forces to intervene to protect the national security of Libya and Egypt if they see an imminent danger to both our countries'.
The oilfields have been shut since January and been under the control of forces loyal to Haftar, and more recently, a group of Russian mercenaries employed by the Wagner Group. It is not clear if Haftar loyal forces known as the Petroleum Facilities Guards are leaving the oilfields as part of the lifting of force majeure
Since January, groups loyal to Haftar have been blocking the production and export of oil from the country's most important fields and terminals
Although there have been reports of military movements and shelling in the vicinity of Sirt in the last few weeks, no significant clashes have been recorded inside Sirt. There is also a significant risk to residents posed by explosive hazards, due to both the legacy of contamination from previous conflicts and from recent clashes involving heavy and explosive weapons.
Thursday, June 18, 2020   Libya is facing a crisis within a crisis. Ongoing armed conflict, increasing indiscriminate attacks on civilians and a collapsing healthcare system have been compounded by the arrival of COVID 19 and a reduced humanitarian presence due to travel and security restrictions. These could soon lead Libya into a humanitarian catastrophe.
The current situation is hitting the most vulnerable the hardest, including internally displaced people, migrants, refugees and asylum seekers. Despite the Berlin Conference in January and calls by the UN in April for a 'Humanitarian Pause' to give the country space to respond to COVID 19, the conflict in Libya continues to rage, with ground clashes, aerial attacks and indiscriminate shelling.
As the humanitarian situation for these vulnerable groups deteriorates, the capacity for humanitarian organisations and the Libyan authorities to respond to their growing needs continues to decline. This is due to the on going conflict and COVID 19 travel restrictions and curfews, both of which prevent medical and humanitarian personnel from freely accessing and supporting them.
In 95% of the areas assessed grocery stores and supermarkets were reported to be closed due to COVID 19 related curfews and restrictions. In 6 municipalities out of the 44 assessed, 75% or more of the grocery stores and supermarkets were reported to be closed, constituting 14% of the assessed locations.
Since the conflict started in April 2019, tens of thousands of Libyan families have been displaced, dozens of civilians and healthworkers have been killed and many health facilities have been damaged or destroyed. Vulnerable groups such as migrants, refugees and asylum seekers have been caught up in this chaos, unable to escape from Libya.
The vast majority of migrants – independently of their time of arrival and length of stay in Libya – mentioned employment opportunities and economic reasons  ( 90% )  as the top reason that made them decide to leave their home communities and countries, which is consistent with results from previous studies. Push factors included insufficient income  ( 44% )  or no job opportunities in country of origin  ( 25% )  and pull factors included looking for job opportunities abroad  ( 21% ) , which largely reflects the results of past studies.
A higher proportion of migrants who had inadequate levels of food consumption reported not having or having limited access to health care services  ( 88% for poor and 74% for borderline food consumption levels )  than migrants with acceptable levels of food security  ( 62% ) . Food insecurity represents a health risk while at the same time meeting one's nutritional needs can maintain health and fortify the immune system to fight off infection.
Over a third of survey respondents cited the largest barrier to accessing health services was not knowing where to go, and a third were afraid to access health care for fear of being reported to authorities and arrested or deported. Additionally, nearly a quarter of respondents noted that they did not have the money to pay for health services.  Needs for hygiene and dignity kits are increasing due to the increasing prices in markets. Procurement is becoming challenging with price fluctuations.  Traditionally vulnerable groups are being impacted by loss of revenue stream and their livelihoods as prices for basic food and non food items increases, widening socio economic vulnerabilities and inequalities.
70% of migrants living in informal settings had inadequate food consumption levels
The ongoing travel restrictions have also led to the suspension of the International Organization of Migration  ( IOM )  evacuation flights, closing off another vital escape route from Libya. For the 700,000 migrants, refugees and asylum seekers stuck in Libya today, the only option left through which they can escape is the extremely dangerous sea route across the Mediterranean, which has already claimed 339 lives in 2020.
According to the UNHCR, between January and June 10th, 4,231 people were intercepted by the Libyan Coastguard, which the UK has supported through the EU. They were forcibly returned to the same dangerous conditions in Libya from which they fled.
As a matter of urgency, the UK must end its support for arbitrary detention in Libya. All 1,500 refugees, asylum seekers and migrants currenrtly being held in detention centres should be released and provided protection and safe shelter.
63% of surveyed migrants had to resort to food related coping strategies due to a lack of food or means to buy food
Libyan authorities, like many countries, have implemented public health restrictions to curb the spread of the virus, closing air, land and sea borders, imposing curfews and social distancing measures. Continuous fighting and instability across the country, along with the COVID19 restrictions, has had a significant negative impact on all components of food security: food access, food availability, food utilization and stability.
Libya is extremely vulnerable to the spread of COVID19 and is identified as one of the 27 countries “most vulnerable to emerging outbreaks of illness" in the Global Health Security  ( GHS )  Index Report, published in March 2020.
Egypt's President Abdel Fattah El Sisi said last month that Egypt could send troops into Libya, warning GNA forces not to cross the current front line between them and Haftar's forces. In response, the GNA said it considered El Sisi's comments a “declaration of war'.
With reduced domestic production, lower imports and increased food prices, previously food secure populations are becoming increasing more insecure. This is a worrying trend given an already high proportion of Libyans  ( 69 percent )  are “marginally food insecure' and are likely using both food and livelihood coping mechanisms to mitigate inadequate food consumption, such as selling their land or homes or engaging in illegal or degrading work.
While the number of humanitarian organizations establishing individual hotlines aimed at enabling affected populations to access information has increased, a recent survey identified that only 54 per cent of respondents said they did not have sufficient access to information on humanitarian response47. In another survey 39 per cent of respondents reported not being aware of any assistance.
More than half  ( 56% )  of respondents noted that coronavirus had caused some change in their migration decision making, compared to 36% who cited that their migration plans had not changed. As noted in Figure 1, a change in migration decision making includes: that they had stopped for the time being  ( 36% ) , altered their intended route  ( 9% ) , decided to return home  ( 7% ) , or changed their intended destination  ( 3% ) . 3 respondents highlighted that they had not yet decided on their next steps.
Continued conflict in the main agricultural areas in Libya has also had a negative impact on agricultural activities and affected the availability of inputs. Curfews and movement restrictions from COVID19, along with disrupted supply chains, have further impacted the agriculture sector and farming households. Many cannot afford to continue under these constraints, pushing more households to abandon agricultural activities   further reducing medium  and long term food availability.
According to the WFP Libya mobile Vulnerability Analysis Mapping  ( VAM )  April May round data, food security indicators are poor especially in the South, with the highest proportion of households with inadequate food consumption and relying on foodbased coping strategies found in Murzuq. Interviews with displaced households showed that more than 70 percent of IDPs are adopting either crisis or emergency food strategies.
While a regular means of livelihood and employment in a decent work environment can enhance wellbeing, reduce vulnerability and improve food security, a lack thereof can have the opposite effect. This could explain the consistently higher levels of inadequate food consumption amongst daily wage workers  ( 34% )  than for those who held regular employment  ( 11% ) . Similarly, amongst daily wage workers those who reported having trouble finding daily work suffered higher levels of inadequate food consumption  ( 34% )  compared to those who did not  ( 31% ) .
Internally displaced people  ( IDPs ) , migrants and refugees are some of the most vulnerable and impacted by COVID19, the latter mainly because of their reliance on “daily' labour which has plummeted due to coronavirus, causing a loss in their revenue sources. Additionally, their overall health situation is already precarious and often they cannot access health services and lack access to social safety nets and support systems.
Nearly a third of migrants are classified as food insecure  ( severely/moderately food insecure )   ( 32% )  according to both Food Consumption Scores and the Livelihood Strategies indicators. An additional third are considered marginally food insecure  ( 34% )  and at risk of food insecurity. This means that they have achieved minimally adequate food consumption without engaging in irreversible coping strategies. The ‘marginally food secure' households have managed to meet the minimum food consumption through adopting livelihood coping strategies as is shown in the high rate  ( one in three )  of adoption of stress level livelihood coping strategies. Food insecure migrants typically have significant food consumption gaps and/or adopt severe coping strategies with their budget stretched to buy food.
A total of 3 per cent  ( 34 migrants )  of migrants stated they currently suffer from an acute illness, nine per cent of which were female. One in five migrants  ( 21% )  who reported suffering from an acute disease stated that they had received treatment for their ailment. A total of 65 per cent of migrants reported having limited  ( 64% )  or no access  ( 1% )  to health services, which is similar to findings of Round 29 for the January   February 2020 period  ( 71% )  and for the January – August 2019 period  ( 74% ) .
In addition, with increasing prices of basic food and commodities and increasing difficulty to find casual work, migrants may struggle to afford goods in addition to paying the rent, which can increase the risk of eviction for those who rent accommodation. This can be confirmed by an increase of 3 per cent of migrants who reported having to delay payment of rent compared to none for the period Jan Aug 2019. This is especially concerning given that the majority of migrants  ( 82% )  reported living in  ( self paid )  rented accommodation and that their rate of inadequate food consumption levels  ( 26% )  has more than doubled since last Jan Aug 2019  ( 12% ) .
A total of 13 per cent reported living in formal settings  ( such as tents, caravans or makeshift shelters ) , which represents an additional potential source of vulnerability for those unable to provide for themselves. Unsurprisingly, the rate of migrants living in inadequate shelters is the highest amongst all types of living arrangements. The higher proportion of migrants showing inadequate food consumption levels in 2019 compared to 2020 may be misrepresentative due to a very limited sample of 12 respondents  ( compared to 50 respondents in 2019 ) .
A quick needs assessment undertaken by WFP between 30 May to 03 June 2020 found that on average, one out of two respondents had poor or borderline food consumption. A majority showed significantly higher frequency of using negative coping strategies to adapt to food scarcity by reducing the number of meals per day or limiting the size of meal portions
During the previous month, 77 percent of respondents could not access supermarkets, and 70 percent had no money to buy food. During quality control calls conducted by WFP in May 2020 to gather information on their experience over the previous 30 days, 33 percent of the migrants interviewed stated they could not access food due to an increase in prices, and 28 percent reported having no money to buy food
Many areas are reporting food availability problems. In addition, border closures, import restrictions, and movement of food supplies is disrupted in addition to impacts from the ongoing conflicts.
The June 2020 WFP VAM regional update includes Libya as one of the countries whose levels of food security are most affected by the impact of the COVID 19, adding the concern of the impact to its economy, which is expected to contract significantly in 2020 with an estimated negative 19.4 percent GDP growth
As a result of the current insecurity and socioeconomic impacts of COVID 19 across the country, many Libyans, migrants and refugees are now living on the edge of their capacity to cope and are sacrificing their wellbeing in order to feed themselves and their families. As a result, humanitarian organizations including WFP have been receiving a higher number of requests for food assistance from national authorities, local municipalities and local leaders estimated by 20 June at more than 100,000 people since March 2020.
The number of food insecure people in Libya has increased from 336,000 to an estimated 683,000, of which 209,000 are migrants and refugees and 474,000 are Libyans
As a result of this loss of income all KIs representing East African communities reported to be “very concerned' that members of their community would be unable to cover basic needs. Alongside this, all KIs representing East African, MENA and Libyan IDPs, reported to be “very concerned' that members of their community would be unable to pay rent and be evicted from their accommodation.
Abusliem, Daraj, Gharb Azzawya, Janoub Azzawya Other residents of these municipalities, including IDPs, were also reported to be affected, as people faced challenges in going to work, while dependent on daily wages struggled to find work on a daily basis due to these restrictions. In the municipalities of Daraj, Gharb Azzawya, and Janoub Azzawya due to the restrictions on movement imposed, key informants reported that new arriving IDPs seeking safety may face challenges in accessing the municipality, however new IDP arrivals were reported to have safely arrived to these areas during the month of May.
In this round, Service Provider KIs continued to report that communities were facing barriers to accessing public healthcare facilities. This is reportedly due to travel restrictions designed to limit the spread of the virus and the fact that facilities are not often open.
The impact of the infectious disease COVID 19 has heightened protection concerns and other needs across Libya, especially for at risk population groups.In Tripoli, a period of intense fighting in May and early June, resulted in the Government of National Accord  ( GNA )  retaking control of the whole of Tripoli, with the Libyan National Army  ( LNA )  withdrawing towards the east.
Recent MMC data also highlighted a prevalence of access barriers, particularly for migrants and refugees. In their findings, the most frequently cited barriers to health care included not knowing where to go  ( 385/1023 ) , followed by fear of being reported to the authorities, arrest or deportations  ( 265/1023 ) , an inability to afford health services  ( 250/1023 ) , and discrimination practices  ( 242/1023 ) .
The Libyan National Oil Company has announced the resumption of oil production and exports after a nearly six month shutdown that has cost the country $6bn  ( £4.7bn )  in lost revenues and deepened the country's civil war.
Schools remain closed across Libya. As in the previous round, all Community Representative KIs representing all population groups reported that members of their community are no longer receiving education in any form.
Libya, which has the biggest proven reserves of crude in Africa, is torn between the rival powers of the UN recognised government of national accord  ( GNA ) , based in Tripoli, and strongman Khalifa Haftar, who rules over the east and part of the south
Benghazi Mantika reported 126  ( 34% )  of the access constraints. Ejdabia and Derna follow Benghazi as the second and third highest numbers of constraints recorded with 56  ( 15% )  and 49  ( 13% )  respectively. The variation in recorded restraints can be attributed to operational presence more than the prevalence of impediments per Mantika with Benghazi having the most operational partners.
In adopting resolution 2526  ( 2020 )  under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations, the 15 member Council decided to extend the authorization laid out in resolution 2473  ( 2019 )  for 12 months. Those measures   first agreed in resolution 2292  ( 2016 )    allow States, acting nationally or through regional organizations, to inspect vessels on the high seas bound to or from Libya, given reasonable grounds to believe that they are in violation of the Council's arms embargo.
9%of interviewed respondents with severe or extreme sectoral needs and/or extreme use of negative coping strategies to cover basic needs, were found to have co occurring severe or extreme sectoral needs in protection and health.
The number of COVID 19 infections in Libya has risen to 2669, with 2056 active cases.
Following an intensification of conflict in Southern Tripoli, Tarhuna and Sirt, since 7 June 2020, nearly 25,000 people have been forced to flee their homes, according to the Libyan Red Crescent Society  ( LRCS )  updates and International Organization for Migration  ( IOM's )  Displacement Tracking Update.
24% of interviewed respondents with severe or extreme sectoral needs and/or extreme use of negative coping strategies to cover basic needs, were found to have severe or extreme sectoral needs in protection alone.
The National Center for Disease Control  ( NCDC )  recorded 122 new cases on Sunday, distributed as following: NCDC also confirmed the recovery of 43 patients, raising the number of recoveries to 553. The death toll of Covid 19 has risen to 60 after the registration of 2 deaths.
Food prices to increase. The combination of supply chain disruptions, ongoing conflict, and market restrictions are likely to lead to a further increase in food prices during the coming months. This comes against the backdrop of households who are likely to have their purchasing power decrease further which could result in increased stockpiling of goods, a vicious cycle which may further drive up prices.
7% of interviewed respondents with severe or extreme sectoral needs and/or extreme use of negative coping strategies to cover basic needs, were found to have severe or extreme sectoral needs in education alone.
For 7% of interviewed respondents with severe or extreme sectoral needs and/or extreme use of negative coping strategies to cover basic needs, their needs were primarily driven by the use of negative coping strategies to cover basic needs.
Humanitarian access remains difficult due to insecurity in some locations, such as in Bani Waleed, Sirt and Tarhuna and the need for de confliction and approvals by the authorities to reach most locations, also due to COVID 19 prevention measures that remain in place. There are concerns in many locations regarding security and risks of confiscation of relief items. Engagement with all parties will be critical for ensuring safety and security for any distributions.
On the face of it, the international community is pushing hard for peace talks to resume based on the Berlin conference outcomes, UN Security Resolutions and the Skhirat Libyan Political Agreement. Hafter's side had announced their readiness to return to dialogue, but although Tripoli is making the right noises that it is also ready to resume talks – but it is making preconditions. Tripoli says it will no longer talk to Hafter as they do not view him as a serious partner for peace.
According to a recent DTM rapid displacement survey, most commonly reported priority humanitarian needs are for nonfood items, food, water and sanitation and health, including psychosocial support.
The majority of those displaced are in the East of the country, particularly Ejdabia  ( 6,050 people ) , Benghazi  ( 5,250 people ) , Al Bayda  ( 1643 people )  and Tocra  ( 402 people ) , although other people have fled to the West, particularly Bani Waleed  ( 4,750 people ) . Some of those recently arrived IDPs in the East had previously been staying in Sirt and Ashshwayrif, before moving further to the East
About 18,500 people in Libya have been newly displaced this past weekend from Tarhuna and Sirte following the takeover of Tarhuna by forces aligned with Libya's Government of National Accord, and in anticipation of further advances in Sirte.
Through the initial assessments carried out by the volunteers from the LRCS local branches to register and classify the priorities and the needs of the IDPs, in addition to the latest DTM reports issued on 10 June, the needs will be as follows: • 82% Household items • 79% Food • 23% WASH • 26% Health including 4% PSS • 4% others
The majority of newly displaced people are reportedly staying with relatives, friends and host families. In many cases, schools have been adapted by local authorities with the support of the LRCS to be a temporary shelter. These schools are currently hosting 3,180 person in Ejdabia, Tobruk, Shahat, Bayda, Bani Waleed and Benghazi.
While the current number of IDPs around 5,000 families  ( about 25,000 individuals ) , the National Society is currently working on identifying the most vulnerable among them. So far, the initial assessment indicates that the IDPs without shelter or a support network, and who are currently placed in schools, are the most vulnerable group  ( 2,500 people, around 500 families ) , in addition to migrants, unaccompanied children and single women
In the South, new arrivals arrived to locations such as Sebha and Brak Shati, have been staying nearby the Technology College that was identified by the authorities as a temporary shelter. However, most people who initially fled to Southern locations have moved further to the East.
In the South, there was an almost 30 per cent increase in the number of constraints compared to April, as a total of 236 access constraints were reported to have impacted the South during May 2020, which represented around 23% of all access constraints. Again, the limited presence of partners explains the relatively low number of reported constraints compared to the East and West. Out of these 236 access constraints are 171 constraints that are linked in some way with COVID 19 restrictions.
The Libyan Army under the command of the Government of National Accord  ( GNA )  has declared the entire Tripoli region as liberated, saying it has retaken control of all the administrative borders of Greater Tripoli as Khalifa Haftar's forces flee toward Tarhouna and Bani Walid. The spokesman for the Libyan Army Mohammed Gununu confirmed Thursday the control of the capital and all of its southern districts, including Wadi Rabea, Ain Zara and Qasir Benghashir.
Seven of the reported access constraints or 2% indicated the physical environment impeded humanitarian activities. Military operations and violence against humanitarian assets make up the remaining 1% in the East, as two incidents were recorded under each category. Reported access constraints include delays and difficulties in obtaining visas and security clearances for international staff members, delays in obtaining clearances for the clearance of supplies at the Benghazi seaport, irregularities, inconsistencies and ambiguities concerning the procedures to obtain approvals of activities from the local, national and technical authorities.
IDPs, refugees and migrants are particularly vulnerable to the follow on effects of the pandemic. The combination of curfews and high food prices has resulted in most refugees and migrants in Libya being unable to find the daily work necessary to support themselves and meet their food needs. As food prices are likely to increase further, this group is particularly vulnerable due to their limited income opportunities and low purchasing power which will result in negative coping mechanisms
The pandemic to exacerbate pre existing gender inequalities. A survey conducted by the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment found that the current COVID 19 containment measures have negatively affected women's livelihoods, especially for selfemployed women. There are also fears of increased violence due to pressures from curfews. Femaleheaded households and those that heavily rely on women's income are likely to face increased levels of food insecurity
Displacement towards Eastern Libya continues to be reported by field observers since the last update of IOM Libya's Displacement Tracking Matrix  ( DTM )  on 07 June 2020. Furthermore, armed conflict in Wadi Al Jareef  ( Sirt region )  on 10 June reportedly heavily affected local communities, leading to new displacement to Sirt city  ( at least 1,900 IDPs ) . Overall, DTM identified an additional 1,095 internally displaced families  ( approximately 5,475 individuals ) since the last update, bringing the total number of internally displaced persons to at least 4,790 families  ( approximately 23,950 individuals )  who have been forced to leave their homes since 04 June.
A survey conducted in May 2020 by the International Committee of the Red Cross reported that 85 percent of those interviewed had no savings with which to cope with the effects of the COVID 19 pandemic, while 52 percent said that their livelihoods had suffered because of COVID 19.
Presently, Libya records 196 confirmed cases of Covid 19 with 139 active cases, 52 recoveries, and five fatalities, according to the National Centre for Disease Control update on Wednesday.
New arrivals of IDPs were reported in urban areas in Eastern Libya, particularly in Benghazi and Ejdabia, but also other locations such as Al Bayda, Shahat, Tobruk, Abyar and Qaminis. Some of the new IDPs had reportedly previously stayed in Sirt and Shwayrif, but moved further East.
The majority of newly displaced families are staying with relatives, friends and host families. Collective shelters have also been set up by local authorities, currently hosting 3,180 IDPs in Ejdabia, Tobruk, Shahat, Bayda, Bani Waleed and Benghazi.
Increased food insecurity linked to decreased food production. Access to agricultural land has been restricted due to the ongoing conflict. In addition, seeds and tools for subsistence agriculture, engaging one fifth of the population, will most likely be difficult to access or increasingly expensive over the coming months. Cereal crop production in 2020 is forecast to be about 5 percent less than in the previous year and about 12 percent below the five year average.
Out of the 1,023 access constraints reported during the month, only 394 could be linked to the different humanitarian sectors, out of which 222 can be attributed to COVID 19 measures. In addition to these access constraints, shortages in funding have constrained the ability of the sectors and the agencies to operate.
The UN remains concerned about the military build up around Sirt and its potential impact on the civilian population.
The Protection Sector and its sub working groups had requested a total of $30.1 million in the 2020 HRP. Sector partners have received only 13.5% of this amount as of 27 May 2020. A total of 88 access constraints impeded Protection activities during the month as mentioned in the following chart and map. A total of 81 access constraints  ( almost 92% of access constraints reported )  are bureaucratic restrictions that are stifling movements into Libya as well as movements and activities within Libya.
While active hostilities have ceased, the situation in southern Tripoli remains precarious due to explosive hazards left behind by withdrawing forces.
More than 148 people have been affected by explosive hazards as they sought to return home or to clear the mine infected areas. Thus far, 52 people have died and 96 have been injured, including civilians and mine clearance operators.
Across Libya, about 430,000 people are now internally displaced
In addition, Libya continues to report increasing COVID 19 cases, with 1,512 confirmed cases and 40 deaths as of 12 July. The south, which accounts for only 8 per cent of Libya's population, represents nearly half of all infections and two thirds of all deaths.
At the same time, the worldwide production of goods and services has been drastically reduced because of COVID 19. This has left Libya's health system extremely vulnerable, since it is heavily dependent on both imported medicines, supplies and equipment, and imported services provided by international medical experts ) . Internally, the country is facing a perfect storm of vanishing revenues, divided governance, widespread corruption, the near collapse of the health system and other basic services, and the escalating fighting.
Many respondents reported that it is very hard to access good quality seedlings for fruit trees at present. It is also very difficult to maintain and find functional nurseries, in light of the constraints resulting from the crises.
Attacks on health care are continuing. Thus far this year, there have been more confirmed attacks on health care in Libya than in any other country worldwide. The resulting closure of health facilities has an obvious immediate impact: people who need health care, including some who may be infected by COVID, are no longer able to obtain it and some of them may die. In the longer term, the cost of rebuilding hospitals and clinics and retraining health staff can run into hundreds of millions of dollars
If COVID 19 continues to spread in Libya, it will be difficult to contain for several reasons, including the decrepit health system, the high number of internally displaced people because of the conflict, and the presence of well over half a million migrants and refugees, many of whom are exposed to severe human rights violations and who have no access to health care. There is a confirmed fact that rates of TB are on the rise in the country and that there may be many migrants with undetected TB who have no access to treatment. This inequitable treatment of different segments of the population ends up affecting all groups, since this killer disease can silently spread.
COVID 19 Response Risk Communication and Community Engagement, Action plan for South, was launched on 30 June. Key activities planned with NCDC Tripoli + Sabha NCDC branch, Sabha Municipality media focal point and RCCE WG members. The campaign will be implemented in three phases staring 30th June and ending 31st July 2020. To achieve the desired results actions and implementation modalities will be modified as the campaign progresses.
15 health sector organizations are operational  ( 6 UN agencies and 9 INGOs )  and reporting regularly to a monthly 4W, including priority response under the developed health sector COVID 19 preparedness and response plan.Health sector partners reached all of 22  ( 100% )  districts, health response is not available in 32 of 100 municipalities. 43% of reached  ( 68 )  municipalities were in areas ranked higher than 3 severity scale. Out of total of 58 municipalities ranked higher than 3, health sector reached 29 municipalities. Therefore, various health needs remain unmet in the rest of 29 municipalities.
Across Libya, the capacity to test, trace and treat people remains extremely low and with services concentrated mainly in Tripoli and Benghazi. Shortages of equipment and supplies, which are particularly acute in the south, exist across the country, compounded by global shortages.
Stringent security restrictions put in place by the UN Security system following the tragic attack that claimed the lives of three UN staff members and injured two others on 10 August 2019 still persist, making it difficult for humanitarians to move without obtaining the necessary internal approvals. The two violent incidents that occurred in the East during May affected the Health Public Sector as hospitals in Benghazi and Albreyga were impacted by clashes, indiscriminate shelling and open gunfire that left casualties and significant damages to Health assets.
Due to the crisis there also limitations in the movements of the agricultural goods from the production areas to the market/ shop places. In fact, transport has been highly affected by the crisis in the country as already described  ( lack/ high cost of fuel, security issues, increased transportation costs, etc. ) . Further constraints for the end part of the value chain process are the limitations that producers face with storing and preserving agricultural products following electricity shortages, power cuts and the absence of storage materials  ( bags, containers, refrigerators, etc. )  and facilities. In addition, there are no functional industrial processing facilities for agricultural/ livestock products in the assessed areas despite small milling places. This often results in the direct sale of raw products to end consumers, although some locally produced products can be processed at home.
The West continues to have the highest number of access constraints out of all the regions, although a decrease of 16% has been recorded for this month compared to the access constraints last month. For this month, a total of 421 humanitarian access constraints were reported by humanitarian agencies, which is approximately 41% of all reported access constraints during May. Out of the 421 constraints/incidents reported, 318 are in some form linked with the COVID 19 related restrictions.
Tripoli mantika represented 111  ( 26% )  of the access constraints reported in the West. Misrata, Aljfara and Almargeb follow Tripoli as the second, third and fourth highest numbers of constraints with 65, 49 and 46 recorded constraints respectively.
The WASH Sector had requested a total of $5.1 million in the 2020 HRP. Sector partners have received a total of $0.9 million as of June 2020, according to the Humanitarian Dashboard for Jan. Apr. 2020, which is only 17.8% of the requested amount. This means that there is a funding gap of 82.2%. A total of 28 access constraints impeded WASH activities during the month. Approximately 79% of these constraints are bureaucratic restrictions inhibiting WASH partners from carrying out their activities. The remaining 21% of the reported constraints are related to the physical environment in which the partners operated.
Since the start of the latest offensive on June 5, at least 19 civilians, including three children, have been killed. And as cases of COVID 19 increase, health services and healthcare workers are increasingly at risk.
The distribution of oil revenues has been a focal point of grievance fuelling Libya's civil war. Successive blockades of the oilfields have deprived the NOC of as much as £6bn revenue.
The Health Sector had requested a total of $44.6 million in the 2020 HRP. Sector partners have received only $7.0914 million  ( 15.9% )  as of June 2020, according to the Humanitarian Dashboard for Jan. Apr. This means that there is a funding gap of 84.1%. A total of 104 access constraints impeded Health activities during the month, including all four reported incidents of violence against humanitarian personnel, assets and facilities. 94 out of the 104 access constraints are bureaucratic restrictions.
Following this, internally displaced persons  ( IPDs )  originally from the southern suburbs of Tripoli, who had settled inside the city during the conflict, began returning to their homes
The Cash and Markets Working Group had requested a total of $4.9 million in the 2020 HRP. CMWG partners have received only $2.499 million  ( 51% )  as of as of June 2020, according to the Humanitarian Dashboard for Jan. Apr. This means that there is a funding gap of 49%. A total of 46 access constraints impeded Cash activities during the month.
Policies and restrictions related to COVID 19 continue to impact people's ability access livelihoods and earn money. This is leading to growing concerns about communities' ability to cover basic needs and pay rent in Tripoli