IR doctors provide essential medical assistance to Libyan residents of a refugee camp in Tunisia

Libya Humanitarian Relief

About the Emergency

By the Numbers

Estimates suggest that more than 680,000 Libyans fled to border regions during the conflict

(Source: UN)

Political turmoil forced hundreds of thousands to flee violence in Libya to neighboring countries in 2011. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) called the collective effort “one of the biggest humanitarian evacuations in history.”

How Islamic Relief Helped

Islamic Relief USA assisted in efforts to help provide vital services to those who had to leave everything behind to flee to safety.

In Tatouine, a town in Tunisia that borders Libya, IRUSA provided these vital services to Libyan refugees:

  • Established four warehouses where food is collected, packaged and transported to 14 distribution centers throughout the district.
  • Provided 10,000 Libyan refugees with thousands of food packs—all purchased and distributed through IRUSA funds. Each food pack include milk, oil, sugar, salt, tea, couscous, rice, pasta, green peas, tomato paste, harrisa and tuna—rations to provide healthy meals to a family of five for an entire week.
  • Administered 1,500 hygiene kits to Libyan refugees to prevent the spread of illnesses
  • Distributed 750 units of baby food and other items to provide nourishment and care for infants and toddlers in the refugee camps

Islamic Relief also partnered with nine local non-government organizations (NGOs) to coordinate distribution of goods and services to Libyan refugees as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Islamic Relief established school and after-school programs for Libyan children currently living in the Ramada refugee camp in Tunisia.

  • 180 students, from pre-kindergarten to eighth grade, received lessons in Arabic, mathematics, Quran studies, science and social studies.
  • Children colored, participated in French lessons, learned how to play musical instruments, participated in theater programs, painted and enjoyed recreational activities as part of the after-school sessions.

To learn more about this special school, read “A School That Brings Smiles to Libyan Children”, a blog post by IRUSA’s public relations representative Asma Yousef.

 Young Libyan girl in refugee camp
 
 Libyan refugee who just received IRUSA hygiene kit
 
 Islamic Relief distributing hygiene kits for Libyan refugees in Bir Lahmar, Tataouine
 
 Libyan refugees being registered to receive food parcels and hygiene kits from Islamic Relief
 
 Food parcels and hygiene kits for Libyan refugees in Bir Lahmar Tatouine, Tunisia
 
 Activities organized by IR staff for Libyan children in Ramada camp
 
 Activities organized by IR staff for Libyan children in Ramada camp in Tunisia
 
 Libyan children at an IRUSA school in the Ramada refugee camp
 
 Libyan children at an IRUSA school in the Ramada refugee camp in Tunisia
 
 Libyan children waiting for school to start in Ramada camp
 
 Young Libyan girls lining up for after-school activities
 
 IR doctors provide essential medical assistance to Libyan residents of a refugee camp in Tunisia
 
 Islamic Relief sign in refugee camp for Libyans
 
 IR staff and volunteers providing food and drinks to new arrivals at Ras Aljir border crossing
 
 IR staff and volunteers working late into the night at a refugee camp for Libyans
 
 IR staff constructing tents in Shousha camp
 
 IR working in partnership with UNHCR, providing food packs to new arrivals from Libya
 
 Unloading food items in Tataouine
 

Here are other services Islamic Relief  provided after turbulence erupted in the region:

  • Organized and pitched tents
  • Provided food, water and sanitation facilities
  • Delivered clothing and blankets
  • Assisted in the repatriation of refugees
  • Administered health care services to the injured and sick
  • Ran schools and after-school activities for children at levels from pre-kindergarten to 8th grade

How You Can Help

Participate

by organizing and attending local fundraisers that support IRUSA’s efforts.

Advocate

by sharing information about IRUSA’s efforts with your social media networks.

Donate

to the Emergencies fund to support efforts like these.