Improving the living conditions of refugees and the host community in Al-Kufra
General objective
To improve the living conditions of Sudanese refugees in Al Kufra and support the host population in order to prevent social tensions and conflicts related to pressure on resources.
The intervention is based on an approach that combines access to basic services, awareness raising and infrastructure improvement.
Specific objective
1. Improve the living conditions of Sudanese refugees by facilitating access to and strengthening the quality of health infrastructure and WASH services in Al Kufra.
2. Strengthen hygiene practices and sanitary waste management within the host community and among refugee populations in Al Kufra.
Expected results
1. Refugees’ living conditions improve thanks to expanded access and higher quality health services and WASH facilities, contributing to better physical health and overall well-being of displaced populations.
2. Improved hygiene practices and rigorous medical waste management reduce health risks, promoting a healthier environment and better disease prevention for the entire population.
About the project
Since April 2023, the conflict in Sudan has forced more than 90,000 refugees to flee to Libya, mainly in the Al Kufra region. While waiting to reach Tripoli, the vast majority of them pass through rudimentary, often isolated ‘rest houses’ with no electricity and very limited access to drinking water, healthcare and adequate sanitation facilities. These precarious living conditions, exacerbated by overcrowding, also place a heavy strain on the host community, whose resources are insufficient to meet the growing needs.
Needs assessments conducted by Helpcode and ODP have highlighted the extreme vulnerability of refugees in Al Kufra. Among the main critical issues identified are:
- Inadequate health infrastructure
- Overcrowded shelters
- Lack of hygiene education
- Lack of access to adequate medical care
Main activities
- Healthcare waste management: launch of an awareness campaign aimed at healthcare personnel and patients on the correct management of healthcare waste, accompanied by the distribution of first aid kits, to promote a safer and cleaner care environment.
- Improving access to drinking water and sanitation: installation of a desalination system at the Al-Hawari rural hospital to ensure sustainable access to drinking water for refugees and the surrounding host population.
- Hygiene awareness campaigns: organisation of workshops and training sessions on good hygiene practices, particularly hand washing, to limit the spread of disease within refugee communities.
- Distribution of personal hygiene kits: provision of essential products (soap, towels, toothpaste, sanitary products) to refugee families to support daily hygiene.
Beneficiaries
- Direct beneficiaries: 50,000 Sudanese refugees – women, children and men – living in extremely vulnerable conditions.
- Indirect beneficiaries: Approximately 80,000 inhabitants of the municipality of Al Kufra, who benefit from infrastructure upgrades and improved services.
SDG’s that the project contributes to achieving
Funder(s)
Canton of Geneva
Partners
Organisation for Development Pioneers
Rossella Semino
Project coordinator Lybia and Tunisia