Almost all people who attempt to cross the Mediterranean Sea pass through Libya. Between January and mid-August 2021, the EU-funded Libyan Coastguard intercepted over 22,000 people at sea and returned them to Libya. This has resulted in an increase in the number of people arbitrarily detained in detention centres, often in violent, inhumane conditions.
MSF provides medical care and food and hygiene kits to people held in detention centres in the country’s northwest.
Migrants and refugees living outside detention centres are exposed to life-threatening risks, such as being held captive by trafficking networks in clandestine jails. Our teams provide healthcare to migrant communities outside of detention – including those who have escaped – in Tripoli and Bani Walid.
MSF also supports the Ministry of Health in its tuberculosis response; we provide technical support in Misrata and Tripoli, and provide diagnosis and treatment to patients in two facilities. We provide ante- and postnatal care to mostly Libyan women in Bani Walid.
![Q&A with Libya HoM, Beatrice Lau _ENG Q&A with Libya HoM, Beatrice Lau _ENG](https://img.msf.org/Doc_Prod/CMS2/a/7/3/6/MSB96600.jpg)
Libya Head of Mission, Beatrice Lau
Dire conditions for migrants and refugees in detention centres in Libya
Our returned Head of Mission Beatrice Lau describes the conditions for migrants and refugees in detention centers in Libya. MSF suspended activities in the detention centres in Tripoli in late June 2021, as a response to the level and rate of violence observed towards migrants and refugees held indefinitely in Libya’s detention centres. Despite this latest decision, efforts to intercept, forcibly return and arbitrarily detain men, women and children in detention centres in Libya are ongoing.
Our activities in 2022 in Libya
Data and information from the International Activity Report 2022.
222
222
€11.5 M
11.5M
2011
2011
![Libya IAR Map 2022 Libya IAR Map 2022](https://img.msf.org/AssetLink/2x86b5qfixqch1a320l71sfh60ju2r4e.jpg)
![](/themes/custom/msf_theme/src/kss/components/image/assets/bg-transparent.png)
49,900
49,9
4,070
4,07
340
34
![Rescue on MV Aquarius - June 2016 Rescue on MV Aquarius - June 2016](https://img.msf.org/AssetLink/d6sux20jwj20d3l0k2bb1ys3532kgl24.jpg)
Aquarius returns to Central Mediterranean: humanitarian assistance at sea desperately needed
![201807 Libya DC Misrata Khoms picture 1](/sites/default/files/styles/card_half/public/images/201807%20Libya%20DC%20Misrata%20Khoms%20picture%201.jpg?itok=rFuhGz7X)
Stop arbitrary detention of refugees and migrants disembarked in Libya
![Aquarius SAR: Winter conditions and high seas Aquarius SAR: Winter conditions and high seas](https://img.msf.org/AssetLink/4m4uw437dhd5378i31a0g78j626x066q.jpg)
Drowning skyrockets as European governments block humanitarian assistance on Central Mediterranean
![Aquarius leaves Valencia to SAR Aquarius leaves Valencia to SAR](https://img.msf.org/AssetLink/068807li55711cf1o87n2p7iart3gx18.jpg)
European government policies condemn people to be locked up in Libya or drown at sea
![VOT project Athens VOT project Athens](https://img.msf.org/AssetLink/l5xg8v803e8016hcq6765du26hjsy5w0.jpg)
Visible and invisible wounds – MSF treats survivors of torture
![](/themes/custom/msf_theme/src/kss/components/image/assets/placeholder.jpg)
Dozens of refugees and migrants wounded after trying to escape horrific captivity conditions
![MSF assistance to migrants and refugees in Libya MSF assistance to migrants and refugees in Libya](https://img.msf.org/AssetLink/w271278vw2i22e7vcp0320006se2da7d.jpg)
The dangers refugees face fleeing
![Zwara, Libya Zwara, Libya](https://img.msf.org/AssetLink/120gtv1pjbm7sx10qxl7131v18c17633.jpg)
Time running out for 800 migrants and refugees in Zuwara detention centre
![Rubber boat is waiting for a rescue Rubber boat is waiting for a rescue](https://img.msf.org/AssetLink/540s1cp70laar1n741r7nse8f51cjlp4.jpg)