Libya

In Transition & Recovery

Years of political instability and a recent economic crisis have left the country in a fragile state of transition. The recent deadly floods threaten its recovery and may put many more at risk of hunger.
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Hunger Stats

Conflict has fueled political and economic instability, displacement, unemployment, poverty and hunger in Libya.

Libya Facts

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Population: 8.2 million people.
Background: Libya gained its independence in 1951. Oil was discovered shortly after, which has contributed to immense wealth for the country.
Geography & Climate: Libya is located in northern Africa and shares its borders with Egypt, Sudan, Chad, Niger, Algeria and Tunisia. The Mediterranean Sea borders the north of the country. Except for its Mediterranean coast and climate, 90% of the country is an arid desert and mostly flat.
Economy: Oil is a main source of income for Libya, with oil and natural gas accounting for 75% of Libya’s revenue. While this makes Libya a wealthy country, there is still high unemployment and inequality.

Causes of Hunger

Civil War & Instability

Since the Arab Spring in 2011, Libya has gone through civil war and continued unrest. The ongoing conflict has resulted in mass displacement and hunger. The political instability has also created an economic crisis, with fluctuating oil revenues, devalued currency, exhausted social safety net and high unemployment – all of which have fueled hunger even more.
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Droughts & Floods

Libya is especially vulnerable to the impacts of the climate crisis including droughts. With a largely desert environment with less than 1% arable land and poor soil, Libya struggles to sustainably produce food and must import up to 90% of its food. Libya is also susceptible to floods, with the most recent and devastating on September 11.
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WFP’s Work in Libya

Since 2018, we have scaled up our operations in Libya. Though conflict and climate-related disasters, we’ve provided food assistance for people in need. In 2022, we reached 234,000 people. Now, we are scaling up further to meet the unprecedented needs fueled by the recent floods.
In Libya, WFP in partnership with IOM provides food assistance to asylum seekers, migrants and refugees in Libya.
Food Assistance
WFP provides food and cash assistance to displaced people, returning refugees and others facing severe hunger.
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Two young girls stand in front of their home with their grandmother.
School Meals
In 2019, we launched our school meals program in Libya. Today, we reach over 43,000 schoolchildren with food.
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Beneficiaries at the WFP and UNHCR food distribution centre
Resilience Building
WFP vocational trainings to help people find employment. Through the training, people develop business skills.
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Lastest News

  • News Release
  • September 14, 2023

WFP Rolls out Food Assistance to Families Affected by Storm Daniel in Libya
AP Photo/Jamal Alkomaty
  • Blog
  • September 12, 2023

How to Help Libya Flood Survivors: Send Food & Humanitarian Aid

WFP/Mohamaed Ben Khalif
  • News Release
  • September 21, 2020

UNHCR, WFP Expand Partnership in Libya to Reach More Refugees and Asylum Seekers as Food Needs Rise

WFP/Mohamaed Ben Khalif
  • News Release
  • June 16, 2020

UNHCR, WFP Join Forces to Reach Thousands of Refugees and Asylum Seekers in Libya With Emergency Food Aid

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