World Food Programme Fighting Hunger Worldwide

This report outlines key observations and recommendations of the United Nations Inter-Agency Security and Humanitarian Access Mission to the Nafusa Mountains of Libya. Given the limited time in each location as a result of long distances travelled and the focus of the mission on determining secure humanitarian access, data and indicators outlined in this report should only be used as an indicative guide. It requires further comprehensive validation by future inter-agency assessment missions, with longer time frames and more comprehensive surveying and data gathering. Each section outlines further information and action required. Primary Recommendations are listed in Section 12 - HCT Strategic Humanitarian Priorities.

Nearly 41,500 Libyan refugees are currently hosted in Tunisia, mainly in the country’s poorest regions, where unemployment and poverty are above the national average. They mainly came from Tripoli or from the western regions, fleeing insecurity and lack of income. This rapid assessment was carried out from 14 to 20 June 2011 to take stock of their food security situation identify the potential needs for assistance.

This Emergency Food Security Assessment covers Eastern Libya and is a first exercise to study food security and socio-economic aspects. A subsequent study of Western Libya, particularly the Nafusa Mountains and Misrata is planned as soon as access is secured. The recent political events have impacted public services. Banks could not dispense large amounts of cash and salary payments were intermittent at times. Foreign workers, the main source of labour in factories and farms, fled. Nevertheless, basic food availability in markets remains intact, although time- and location-specific shocks to food prices and availability have occurred. IDPs from Ajdabiya are collecting their salaries in Benghazi due to a common bank system. The food consumption of even the poorest is much higher than the average in least developed countries.

Further to an initial needs assessment mission by UN agencies early March, an inter-agency team led by OCHA and including representatives from UNICEF, WFP, UNFPA, WHO, UNDP, FAO, UNHCR and IOM travelled to Eastern Libya from 7 to 11 April 2011 to conduct an assessment of humanitarian needs. The FAO/WFP food security team visited Tobruk, Benghazi and Derna. The methodology included secondary data analysis and broad consultations with public and private actors as well as Non-Governmental Organisations. The mission identified serious vulnerabilities of the food system that may lead to a large scale food security crisis affecting the entire population within two months, if not addressed in time.