A coronavirus outbreak in Libya could be “truly devastating” for the internally displaced people (IDP). As a matter of fact, nearly 700,000 refugees and migrants in the war-torn region, cautioned the UN Migration Agency.
Up to this point, 17 confirmed cases of the latest coronavirus have been identified in Libya including one death. It has imposed a national curfew from 2 pm to 7 am and forbid intercity travel to curtail the spread of the virus. It has infected over a million people worldwide and killed over 60,000.
According to Aljazeera, things changed since a longtime leader, Muammar Gaddafi passed away in NATO. The largest oil producer is embroiled in chaos.
Since 2014, there was a broken down. The nation changes into two rival governments. The internationally recognized National Accord Government (GNA) headed by Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj is based in Tripoli, the capital.
Meanwhile, the House of Representatives, aligned with renegade military leader Khalifa Haftar and his Libyan National Army (LNA), is based in the east of the country.
Bloody Conflict
Similarly, Libya has been a big gateway in recent years for African migrants and refugees seeking to enter Europe. Most of the migrants have fled poverty, violence, war, forced labour, female genital mutilation, corrupt governments and personal threats. Only to find themselves trapped in the midst of the Libyan violence and also to face the danger of a possible outbreak of coronavirus in the region.
Uncertainty in Economic
The Libyan authorities declared the release of 466 inmates earlier this week as part of efforts to prevent the spread of coronavirus. Yet the detention centers are still in chaos. And also, the security is not secure. For instance, physical distancing are no choice for those trapped inside, as well as for those in overcrowded housing.
Meanwhile, in response to the danger of a coronavirus outbreak, Libya has also closed its borders. It means that those who wish to return home are unable to travel.
Only since 2016, according to the IOM’s Missing Migrants report, nearly 12,000 refugees and migrants have drowned in the Mediterranean while trying to enter Europe.
