Libya: Protection and rights for refugee children
In Libya, Terre des Hommes partner organization Belaady works under difficult conditions to protect and uphold the rights of refugee children. Despite the danger to staff, they succeed in providing care for children, helping families with legal issues, and enabling initial steps in education.
Small packages of medicine and a few diapers. That's all Omar can take with him on his visits to the refugee camps in Libya – for fear that the local authorities will confiscate the aid packages. Omar is a project coordinator for Belaady and visits the camps regularly, provided the local authorities allow it.
One of the camps is primarily home to Sudanese families who have fled the war that has ravaged the country since 2023. Millions are displaced; many children bear the scars of violence and loss. They and their families seek refuge in neighboring Libya. But very few find sanctuary and a safe arrival there. Those who do find shelter in a camp usually encounter disastrous conditions – there is a lack of everything.
Minors are particularly vulnerable. Three Somali girls – Ayaan, Hodan, and Samira (aged 15 to 17) – were rescued from suspected human trafficking rings. Instead of being placed in safe care, they ended up in state custody. They faced a choice: return to an unsafe country of origin or imprisonment. Their story is representative of many whose fates remain hidden.
When work means danger
Belaady's work takes place under constant pressure, as advocating for refugees can lead to reprisals. Despite this, staff members speak with families, offer hope, and provide quiet but vital assistance. "The families in the camps don't ask for much. What they want most is for their children to grow up in dignity and safety, and for them not to be forgotten by the international community," reports Omar.
That's why Belaady doesn't just help with material donations. The teams provide advice on paperwork—passports, birth certificates—that is often crucial for school registration and legal protection. Education is a key factor: A small group of children supported by Belaady have passed their first year of school. These are small but significant successes achieved in an environment that offers children little opportunity to grow up safely. And the organization goes even further: Training for staff, discussions with teachers, and careful political awareness campaigns aim to improve the status quo. Amidst danger and disability, these small successes demonstrate that commitment matters. They are moments of hope in a world that seems intent on forgetting many children.
Background information - Escape through Libya
Libya is a key transit country for many refugees. However, children in particular experience exclusion, insecurity, and severe restrictions on their rights there. Political instability and a lack of legal structures significantly exacerbate the situation. Refugees are subjected to systematic human rights violations, and many are arbitrarily detained. Our bulletin provides concise background information on the situation in both countries and formulates concrete recommendations for German and international policy.
To the bulletin (PDF)