UN Concerned over Worsening Coronavirus Situation in South Libya

UNICEF-sponsored awareness campaign about the dangers of coronavirus in Libya (the National Center for Disease Control)
UNICEF-sponsored awareness campaign about the dangers of coronavirus in Libya (the National Center for Disease Control)
TT
20

UN Concerned over Worsening Coronavirus Situation in South Libya

UNICEF-sponsored awareness campaign about the dangers of coronavirus in Libya (the National Center for Disease Control)
UNICEF-sponsored awareness campaign about the dangers of coronavirus in Libya (the National Center for Disease Control)

The United Nations said it was concerned about the spike in coronavirus infections and related deaths in Libya, warning that the situation of COVID-19 is worsening in the south of the country.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in Libya (OCHA) said Wednesday that the exacerbation of the epidemiological situation in the south puts additional pressure on the health care system and health workers.

OCHA indicated that the death of a doctor at Sabha Medical Center reveals the risks that frontline health workers face every day.

The Office lauded the sacrifices of the “white coat army” in Libya and called for continuous commitment to precautionary measures, such as wearing masks and maintaining social distancing.

Meanwhile, a number of southern cities announced a partial curfew to limit the spread of the coronavirus, shutting down schools, universities, markets, and shops.

The National Center for Disease Control in Sabha warned that the city and the southern region are witnessing an unprecedented outbreak of the coronavirus.

Tripoli's National Center for Disease Control announced 33 new deaths and 910 positive cases, including 520 from the capital, bringing the total number of infections in the country to 141,598 with 128,928 recoveries.

The Sabha Municipal Council announced a two-week lockdown till March 20, due to the "alarming increase" in infections and deaths, and the failure to adhere to precautionary measures.

Jadu Municipal Council also suspended all classes until March 18, following a spike in coronavirus infections in the city.

The Council said that the decision came in response to the instructions of the head of the coronavirus control committee and the director of the municipality’s isolation center.

The country has seen a spike in the number of infections and deaths among the medical teams. The Medical Advisory Committee to Combat Coronavirus in al-Wahat announced the death of a nurse at the Isolation Center of Jalo General Hospital following complications caused by the COVID-19 disease.

On Tuesday, Prime Minister-designate Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh pledged to distribute the coronavirus vaccine as soon as possible.

The National Center for Disease Control said that Libya will purchase 12 million doses of the vaccine from four companies.

Head of the Supreme Advisory Committee to Combat Coronavirus in western Libya Khalifa al-Bakoush said earlier that vaccine distribution will begin mid-March with 300,000 doses.



UN Says ‘Deliberate’ Choices ‘Systematically’ Depriving Gazans

04 June 2025, Palestinian Territories, Nusirat: Displaced Palestinians gather in a charity kitchen to receive aid amid a shortage of food, in Nuseirat refugee camp. (Belal Abu Amer/APA Images via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa)
04 June 2025, Palestinian Territories, Nusirat: Displaced Palestinians gather in a charity kitchen to receive aid amid a shortage of food, in Nuseirat refugee camp. (Belal Abu Amer/APA Images via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa)
TT
20

UN Says ‘Deliberate’ Choices ‘Systematically’ Depriving Gazans

04 June 2025, Palestinian Territories, Nusirat: Displaced Palestinians gather in a charity kitchen to receive aid amid a shortage of food, in Nuseirat refugee camp. (Belal Abu Amer/APA Images via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa)
04 June 2025, Palestinian Territories, Nusirat: Displaced Palestinians gather in a charity kitchen to receive aid amid a shortage of food, in Nuseirat refugee camp. (Belal Abu Amer/APA Images via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa)

The UN aid chief said Wednesday that recent "horrifying scenes" of Gazans being killed while seeking food aid were the result of "deliberate choices that have systematically deprived" them of essentials to survive.

A US and Israeli-backed group operating aid sites in the Gaza Strip announced the temporary closure of its facilities on Wednesday, with the Israeli army warning that roads leading to distribution centers were "considered combat zones".

The announcement by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation follows a string of deadly incidents near the distribution sites it operates.

On Tuesday, 27 people were killed in southern Gaza when Israeli troops opened fire near a GHF aid site, with the military saying the incident was under investigation.

"The world is watching, day after day, horrifying scenes of Palestinians being shot, wounded or killed in Gaza while simply trying to eat," UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher said in a statement.

"Emergency medical teams have confirmed treating hundreds of trauma cases. Yesterday alone, dozens were declared dead at hospitals after Israeli forces said they had opened fire.

"This is the outcome of a series of deliberate choices that have systematically deprived two million people of the essentials they need to survive."

He echoed the call by UN chief Antonio Guterres for immediate independent investigations, saying they were not isolated incidents, and the perpetrators must be held accountable.

"No-one should have to risk their life to feed their children," said Fletcher.

The GHF began operations a week ago, but the UN and major aid groups have refused to cooperate with it over concerns it was designed to cater to Israeli military objectives.

Meanwhile the United Nations has described the amount of aid allowed into Gaza, after Israel partially lifted a more than two-month total blockade, as a trickle.

"We must be allowed to do our jobs: we have the teams, the plan, the supplies and the experience," said Fletcher, the UN under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs and emergency relief coordinator.

"Open the crossings -- all of them. Let in life-saving aid at scale, from all directions. Lift the restrictions on what and how much aid we can bring in.

"Ensure our convoys aren't held up by delays and denials. Release the hostages. Implement the ceasefire."