Libya Launches National Campaign to Combat COVID-19

People wearing protective face masks and gloves shop at a supermarket, following the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Misrata, Libya (Reuters)
People wearing protective face masks and gloves shop at a supermarket, following the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Misrata, Libya (Reuters)
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Libya Launches National Campaign to Combat COVID-19

People wearing protective face masks and gloves shop at a supermarket, following the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Misrata, Libya (Reuters)
People wearing protective face masks and gloves shop at a supermarket, following the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Misrata, Libya (Reuters)

Libya’s National Center for Disease Control launched the national campaign for community awareness to contain the spread of the coronavirus, as part of the center's plan for the fourth stage since the emergence of the pandemic in the country.

The Director of the National Center, Badreddine al-Najjar, announced in a press conference that the campaign that was launched from the municipalities of Tripoli aims to raise awareness among citizens over the risks that could result from the outbreak.

Libya is approaching its 18,000 COVID-19 cases, however, Najjar said it was possible to fix the situation and contain the pandemic in the country if everyone plays their role.

He said if efforts were united and everyone adhered to the precautionary measures, the epidemiological situation can be controlled.

The national campaign involves the municipalities of greater Tripoli, the Security Directorate of Tripoli, the General Authority for Endowments, the Scouts and Girl Guides Commission, the Commission for Civil Society Institutions, the UNICEF, and the International Organization for Migration, Najjar noted.

The center stated that 2,081 persons recovered and the death toll rose to 285.

Tripoli tops the list with 313 cases, and Misrata with 64 cases, but according to health authorities and official data, the number of infections has increased in cities and towns.

Authorities fear a surge in cases especially with the resumption of education, after baccalaureate students returned to classes on August 31, following 5 months of suspension due to the pandemic.

Meanwhile, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) announced the completion of the sterilization of 39 Libyan schools in a move to protect both students and educational staff from the coronavirus.

UNICEF said that the second phase of the Japan-funded project is aimed at targeting 163 further schools in the west of the country, to be achieved in partnership with the Ministry of Education.

Also, Benghazi Medical Center announced that doctors, nurses, and medical staff are being attacked by families of infected persons.

The Doctors Syndicate in Benghazi said that doctors are frustrated by the attacks and social media campaigns that deny their efforts in combating the virus, adding that many medical workers are subjected to physical and verbal abuse.

The Syndicate asserted that the doctors continue to treat patients especially as numbers doubled in light of the spread of the virus and the weakness of the health system in the country.

It called on state agencies to protect doctors and other hospital workers, and maintain medical devices and equipment from sabotage and destruction.



UN Calls for Independent Probe into Civilians Harmed Trying to Get Food in Gaza

 Palestinians carry bags filled with food and humanitarian aid provided by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a US-backed organization approved by Israel, in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, on Tuesday, June 3, 2025. (AP)
Palestinians carry bags filled with food and humanitarian aid provided by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a US-backed organization approved by Israel, in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, on Tuesday, June 3, 2025. (AP)
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UN Calls for Independent Probe into Civilians Harmed Trying to Get Food in Gaza

 Palestinians carry bags filled with food and humanitarian aid provided by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a US-backed organization approved by Israel, in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, on Tuesday, June 3, 2025. (AP)
Palestinians carry bags filled with food and humanitarian aid provided by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a US-backed organization approved by Israel, in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, on Tuesday, June 3, 2025. (AP)

United Nations chief Antonio Guterres on Tuesday slammed as "unacceptable" the deaths of Palestinians seeking food aid in Gaza, a spokesman said, calling the loss of life in the territory "unthinkable".

"The Secretary-General continues to call for an immediate and independent investigation into these events and for the perpetrators to be held to account," UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric told reporters.

"We are witnessing unthinkable loss of life in Gaza (and) the secretary-general condemns the loss of lives and injuries of Palestinians seeking aid," he said. "It is unacceptable civilians are risking and in several instances losing their lives just trying to get food."

At least 27 Palestinians were killed and dozens wounded by Israeli fire near a food distribution site in the southern Gaza Strip on Tuesday, local health authorities said, in the third day of chaos and bloodshed to affect the aid operation.

A spokesperson for the International Committee of the Red Cross told Reuters that its field hospital in Rafah received 184 casualties, adding that 19 of those were declared dead upon arrival, and eight died of their wounds shortly after.

The US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation launched its first distribution sites last week in an effort to alleviate widespread hunger amongst Gaza's war-battered population, most of whom have had to abandon their homes to flee fighting.

The Foundation's aid plan, which bypasses traditional aid groups, has come under fierce criticism from the United Nations and established charities which say it does not follow humanitarian principles.

The private group, which is endorsed by Israel, said it distributed 21 truckloads of food early on Tuesday and that the aid operation was "conducted safely and without incident within the site".

However, there have been reports of repeated killings near Rafah as crowds gather to get desperately needed supplies.

On Sunday, Palestinian and international officials reported that at least 31 people were killed and dozens more injured. On Monday, three more Palestinians were reportedly killed by Israeli fire.

The Israeli military has denied targeting civilians gathering for aid and called reports of deaths during Sunday’s distribution "fabrications" by Hamas.