By the end of 2022, there were more than 650,000 migrants in Libya,* with 3,489 estimated to be in detention centres managed by the Department for Combating Irregular Migration,** and between 2,000 and 5,000 in non-official centres scattered across the country.

MSF continued to hear accounts from migrants who were subjected to multiple forms of ill treatment, such as physical abuse and sexual and gender-based violence. In addition, migrants reported arbitrary arrests and detention in inhumane conditions, kidnapping, forced labour, human trafficking and family separation.

Our teams provided basic healthcare, mental health support, and sexual and reproductive health consultations in health facilities inside detention centres and in urban settings. We refer patients to hospitals for specialised care. We also offered protection services, aiming to identify people with vulnerabilities and referred them to other organisations in Tripoli who could meet their specific needs.

During the year, the Libyan coastguard intercepted at least 24,684 individuals attempting to cross the Mediterranean Sea and forcibly returned them to Libya.*** At disembarkation points across the west of the country, our teams offered basic medical services, psychological first aid, emergency referrals and follow-up care. We also distributed food and hygiene kits. After November, we were unable to continue these activities, as permission was withdrawn by the authorities. However, our teams remain ready to respond in case of emergencies.

TB is another focus of our activities in Libya. In 2022, we supported the national TB programme and also assisted with the establishment of the first isolation unit for the management of multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) in Misrata chest hospital.

* UNHCR
** official data from the UNHCR, https://data.unhcr.org/en/documents/details/97911
*** IOM: https://twitter.com/i/status/1625054971774267392