Libya
Projects in Libya
DCA has currently six projects.
People in need reached
In 2018, DCA reached over 59,000 direct beneficiaries
Experience in Libya
DCA have been operational in Libya since 2011.
DCA in Libya
As a result of fighting during the 2011 revolution and armed conflict since, Libya is contaminated by explosive remnants of war (ERW). This contamination poses a serious threat to the safety of the civilian population, in particular children, whose natural curiosity often leads them to touch or play with these highly dangerous items. As well as a direct risk to human life, these highly unstable explosives hinder safe access to essential services such as medical facilities, education, water and electricity supply. DCA works in areas affected by conflict with high levels of ERW contamination and clears residential, commercial, education, medical and agricultural sites, ensuring that property and land is returned to socioeconomic use, contributing to stabilization.
Another result of the crisis in Libya has been weapons proliferation, with large numbers of small arms and light weapons making their way into the ownership of non-state actors and private individuals. DCA work with civil society organizations to educate communities as to the risk of guns and in particular to resolve conflict which can lead to armed violence.
Since 2011, the on-going high levels of insecurity and armed violence have deeply affected most if not all Libyan citizens. Many have endured emotional trauma, witnessed violent acts, experienced bereavement or been displaced from their homes. With the Libyan health services severely fractured, DCA works through civil society partners to provide psychosocial support to adults and children across the country. Conflict across the country has displacement of over 672,000 citizens and there continues to be a high risk of injury or fatality amongst returnees. By educating citizens as to the dangers of ERW and by treating the psychological issues of enduring conflict, DCA supports communities and helps them recover from war and rebuild their livelihoods.
DCA is now in its 9th year of working in Libya and has offices in Tripoli, Misrata, Sirte, Al-Bayda, and Benghazi.
Activities in Libya
Capacity Building of Local Actors
DCA empowers Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) across Libya working in different fields through mentoring, training, and sub-granting. CSOs design and implement their own projects under DCA’s guidance.
Training National Authorities
Through search, clearance, and Explosive Ordinance Disposal courses (amongst others), DCA is strengthening the capacity of national authorities to clear and release contaminated land in Libya and to safely deal with Unexploded Ordinance (UXO).
Armed Violence Reduction
DCA works with civil society organizations to educate and sensitize the population throughout the country to the risks posed to all levels of society by possessing, carrying, and poorly storing weapons.
Psychosocial Support
DCA provides basic Psychosocial Support (PSS) to those most in need in Libya, including IDPs and victims of the conflict. Our services focus on children and young adults and we deliver PSS activities through the local Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) with whom we partner. To reinforce psychological resilience and increase wellbeing, DCA and CSOs implement recreational, creative, educational, media and sports activities as well as community events, and create child friendly spaces.
Risk Education
DCA trains its own staff and Libyan CSOs to educate communities as to the risks of ERW. Risk Education (RE) helps prevent injury and fatalities amongst the local population, IDPs, and returnees throughout Libya. Through training and education, communities experience an increase in the level of awareness and knowledge of how to adopt safe behaviour in areas of ERW contamination. remnants of war.
EOD Clearance
The DCA Libya programme works in Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD), clearing unexploded ordnance (UXO) and explosive remnants of war (ERW) through direct implementation and through building national capacity. Through these activities, the DCA teams ensure that communities regain safe access to essential resources such as medical and education facilities, and that property and land is returned to socioeconomic use.
Non-food Item Distribution
As implementing partner for UNHCR and in collaboration with other donors as well, DCA has delivered non-food items to displaced people in camps in Sirte and Benghazi. Specifically, in response to decreasing standards of hygiene, the DCA Libya programme implemented an NFI distribution to hospitals.
Read Stories
This year, DanChurchAid (DCA) has been working to remove mines and other explosives from a girls' school in the Libyan city of Sirte.
UNHCR has awarded DCA EUR 29,859 for the restoration of sanitation and hygiene conditions in Sirte.
Major parts of the Libyan city of Sirte left in ruins
Where we work in Libya
Where we work in Libya
Local Partners in Libya
CSOs
DCA has worked with 14 national authority and civil society partners over the years to deliver NFI distribution, women’s empowerment projects, PSS, AVR, and RE. We are currently working with partners to deliver PSS in Sirte and RE in Benghazi.
Other Relevant Stakeholders
Libyan Mine Action Center – the National Mine Action Authority in Libya. DCA works closely with the LibMAC liaising with the Centre regularly, reporting on an ongoing basis, and liaising over access for clearance projects.
Working Groups – DCA is part of the Protection Working Group
Relevant International Agencies and Institutions – DCA collaborates to ensure optimal delivery of services with UN agencies (including UNMAS), INGOs, and the donor community. Over the last 12 months, DCA’s Libya programme has been operating in support of projects by NRC, IOM, UNICEF, and Chemonics.
Relevant national agencies and institutions – DCA works in close collaboration with the Libyan Army Engineers, Police, and the Commission of Civil Society.
Donors in Libya
Our programmes
Humanitarian Assistance
We work to save lives when diaster strikes
Safer Communities
We work to build safer communities