Tripoli, Jan 16 (NationPress) The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) announced that it has secured $1.5 million in financial support from the Education Cannot Wait (ECW), the global UN fund dedicated to education in emergencies, to meet the pressing educational and psychosocial requirements of Sudanese refugee children in Libya.

Mohammad Fayyazi, UNICEF's representative in Libya, stated, "This contribution from the ECW enables us to address the significant educational deficiencies faced by Sudanese refugee children in Libya, making sure that no child is overlooked."

The initiative, aimed at benefiting 19,000 children throughout Libya, offers both formal and informal educational avenues, ensuring that children confronted with obstacles, such as lack of documentation, can still pursue learning, according to a report by Xinhua news agency.

Moreover, the initiative incorporates mental health and psychosocial support to help children cope with the trauma and difficulties resulting from displacement and violence.

The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has reported a doubling in the number of Sudanese refugees seeking refuge in Libya, with approximately 400 arrivals each day since the beginning of 2024.

The ongoing crisis in Sudan has led to massive displacement throughout the region, affecting 8.4 million people internally within Sudan and resulting in 3.1 million Sudanese refugees in surrounding countries, including an estimated 210,000 in Libya, as noted by the UNHCR in late December.

UNHCR has observed a notable increase in Sudanese refugees arriving in Libya, with daily arrivals hitting 400 and the current refugee population exceeding 210,000.

The Sudan crisis has triggered extensive displacement, putting pressure on resources in Libya, especially in outlying areas like Alkufra, where refugees are grappling with elevated food prices, fuel shortages, and inadequate living conditions.

UNHCR is providing critical assistance, encompassing healthcare, relief supplies, and documentation support, while also enhancing access to local services.

Despite these efforts, there is an urgent need for winter supplies such as blankets, warm clothing, and shelter materials. UNHCR has called for heightened international assistance to better living conditions and broaden humanitarian initiatives, particularly in the realms of health and education, to meet the escalating needs of both refugees and host communities.