UNICEF: Support Vulnerable Children in Libya through Child-Sensitive Social Protection, Education and Protection Services

Libya continues to face a multi-layered crisis marked by protracted conflict, political and administrative fragmentation and armed hostilities aggravating the fragility of the state. The 2021 delayed national elections furthered fragmentation with rival governments and armed groups competing for power, while an agreed election roadmap is pending. The crisis and interrelated shocks continue to affect public services and Libyan households, with a disproportionately negative impact towards children and women. Limited data points to an increase of multidimensional poverty in vulnerable households, while the social protection system remains limited.

Despite the challenging circumstances, the humanitarian situation improved with internal displacement declining. Yet, vulnerable children continue to be at risk of or victims/survivors of abuse, exploitation and limited assistance and access to basic services with about 175’800 Libyan and Non Libyan children in-need of protection services in 2023, including education; of particular concern are migrant and asylum-seeking children, displaced and marginalized children. This requires concerted efforts, to which UNICEF contributes via this proposal.

The intervention directly targets 

1. 5000 vulnerable and marginalised children and youth (i.e. Libyan children who are displaced and marginalized, and asylum seeker and migrant children; separated and unaccompanied children 
2. Libyan families (i.e. single parent and poor households) and non-Libyan families and caregivers 
3. Line Ministries and Institutions, and staff (Social Affairs (MoSA), Education (MoE), Health (MoH) and Social Solidary Fund (SSF) 
4. Local civil society organisations (CSOs)

Outcome 1: Children and youth have improved access to inclusive social protection services to reduce child deprivations and increase human capital.

Outcome 2: Children and youth benefit from strengthened child protection systems and have increased access to quality, inclusive, safe and learning opportunities. 

Principaux résultats attendus:  

• 2 financial analysis on social sectors delivered exploring child-related expenditures; budget briefs inform policy and financing for children 
• National child coverage dashboard and social protection diagnostics on national social assistance programs developed
• Trainings on social protection (TRANSFORM), and public finance for children (PF4C) benefited 50 central and district officials who engage on policy
• 125 social workers and counsellors from the Ministry of Social Affairs and from two CSO fostered capacity on social protection and case management 
• 5000 children and youth provided with psychosocial services based on their needs, and referrals
• 1920 children provided with quality education to meet education needs and 1680 youth with life skills opportunities

Principaux résultats antérieurs:  

• UNICEF contributed to recent research on social protection in Libya (i.e. A mapping of Libya’s social protection sector 2022 with IPC-IG and the National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB)
• UNICEF jointly with IPC-IG supported NESDB in the development of the “Roadmap for the Development of a National SP Policy in end of 2021
• Scaled up community centers (Baity) (8) benefiting 8,200 children with non-formal education and remedial classes in 2022 (Non-Libyans and Libyans)

Coordination: National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB), Ministry of Social Affairs (MoSA), Ministry of Education (MoE) the Social Solidarity Fund (SSF), ILO, WFP, CMWG and Intersos.

Synergies: Blue-Print Initiative (UNICEF, UNHCR); Education Cannot Wait (ECW).