On World Refugee Day and every day, we pause to listen. To remember. To witness.
More than 313,000 people from Sudan have arrived in Libya since April 2023, fleeing war, persecution, and uncertainty. Some came alone. Others came with nothing but their children and clothes on their backs.
Through every journey, one thing remains constant: hope for peace, education, and returning home.In this photo essay, we share the stories of three refugees. Each offers a glimpse into what it means to be displaced — and what it means to hold on to humanity.Radeyya: A Mother’s Plea for Peace and a future for her family📍 Tripoli | Sudanese, Mother of four
Tripoli (Libya) June, 2025. Radeyya and her husband shares laughs with her children Duaa, Awab, Sulyman and Maab during World Refugee Day activities. Photo: UNHCR Libya / Ziyad Alhamdi“I need education for my children. I want them to have a future.”Radeyya fled Sudan iseeking safety. Today, she lives in Tripoli with her husband and four children — aged 13, 12, 9, and 6 — none of whom have had access to formal schooling.
“I want to thank the Libyan people — our brothers and sisters. They gave us clothes, food, and shelter when we had nothing,” she says.Still, her voice carries a deeper longing — one that stretches beyond borders.
“I want the international community to hear from us. Please help end the war in Sudan so we can go home. I don’t know what the future holds — the uncertainty is overwhelming.”  Jeto & Ikram: Found Family, Built from Loss📍 Tripoli | Ethiopian caregiver, 29 | Caring for four unaccompanied children
Figure 1Tripoli (Libya) June, Jeto, carefully helps seven-year-old Ikram string beads during an art session at the World Refugee Day celebration. Photo: UNHCR Libya / Ziyad Alhamdi“Ikram is my daughter, my sister, my everything.”Jeto is just 29, but she has become the guardian of four children who fled without their families. One of them is seven-year-old Ikram, who has changed her life.
“We laugh together, eat together, and share a small space we call home. She’s taught me what resilience really means.”Jeto has a message for the little girl who became her world:
“Dear Ikram, I love you. You made life easier. I hope you grow up to be the doctor you dream of becoming — and that you always keep your kindness.” Ahmed: Alone, but Unbroken📍 Tripoli | 14 years old | Separated from family
“Sudan is my home. And home… is my mother.”At just 14, Ahmed crossed the desert alone in search of safety. He had lost his father in Sudan and did not know where his mother or siblings were.
“I left Sudan and came to Libya for peace,” he says softly. “War is terrifying — especially for children.”His words are simple, but urgent:
“Please make peace happen in Sudan. I just want to go home, Sudan is my nation, and it is an obligation to go back”Three voices, among thousands, carry grief, strength, and love across borders.
As conflict continues in Sudan and in other countries around the globe, we must not look away. Every child deserves an education, but even more, a childhood. Every person deserves peace. And every refugee deserves dignity and the chance to live, thrive, and dream in safety.
   *Name change to protect identity

In 2024, the UN in Libya continued to support Libya’s development priorities through more than 250 projects and initiatives under the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (2023–2026), focusing on:Peace and GovernanceSustainable Economic DevelopmentSocial and Human Capital DevelopmentClimate Change, Environment, and WaterDurable Solutions for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs)Migration ManagementFrom supporting municipal elections to helping launch Libya’s first National Sustainable Energy Strategy—and from enhancing access to services for IDPs and host communities to expanding opportunities for youth and women—2024 marked meaningful progress across the country.In 2025, the UN in Libya will continue to work with national and local partners to advance inclusive and sustainable development, strengthen service delivery, and respond to emerging needs—with a focus on climate resilience and youth empowerment.To read the full report follow the link: https://libya.un.org/en/296931-un-libya-annual-results-report-2024

Accurate statistics on women and girls impacted by internal displacement are always lacking. However, studies show that in each crisis, half of the displaced populations are women and girls. In Libya, there remained an estimated 106,556 IDPs, with thousands remaining with displacement-related needs, as of May 2024. Despite efforts, the specific needs of women and girl IDPs remain under-assessed in research and data collection efforts conducted by several international organizations and UN agencies. Limited access and lack of women-sensitive assessment tools are some of the main barriers to developing comprehensive, durable solution responses targeting women and girl IDPs. This assessment looks into the experiences of displaced and returnee women from Murzuq and Tawergha after years of displacement by delving into their journey in displacement, towards finding durable solutions. The findings underscore the urgent need for comprehensive support that addresses the unique needs of displaced and returnee women, including access to basic services, protection from discrimination and violence, and the necessity for durable solutions that foster stability and integration.Recognizing the differing aspirations and conditions influencing their decisions to return or remain, it is crucial to implement targeted programs that not only facilitate safe returns but also ensure that women have the resources and opportunities to rebuild their lives.  View online/downloadEnglish (PDF, 0.73MB)Arabic (PDF, 0.50MB) Bibliographic informationGeographic coverage: Arab States/North Africa LibyaSubject areas: Access to basic services Gender equality and women’s empowerment Governance and national planning Humanitarian actionResource type(s): Assessments Case studies Research papersPublication year2025Number of pages56Publishing entity/ies: United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women)

A United Nations inter-agency delegation, led by Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General (DSRSG) for Political Affairs, Officer-in-Charge of UNSMIL, Stephanie Koury, and Acting Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, Mr. Aeneas Chuma, visited Sebha today to engage with key stakeholders and partners on a range of issues.The delegation included representatives from the UN Development Programme (UNDP), UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), World Food Programme (WFP), International Organization for Migration (IOM), UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and UNSMIL political and security sections.During the visit, the UN delegation met with civil and military officials, civil society leaders and community members to discuss pressing local issues and potential pathways for sustainable development and lasting peace.
The meetings brought together municipal officials and local leaders as well as community actors from Sebha, Murzuq, Qatrun, Ghat, Brak, and Ubari in addition to security leaders. who highlighted the importance of effective local governance to provide and maintain basic services such as health, education and waste management for the Libyan people in the South.DSRSG Koury expressed her pleasure to be in Sebha after so many years, “I am glad to return to Sebha after a long time. I am here today to stress that the southern region is among the UN’s top priorities.”She congratulated the municipalities on the successful conduct of the elections and reiterated UNSMIL’s unwavering support for this democratic exercise. “It is time for Libyans to exercise control over their political lives,” DSRSG Koury said. “We applaud the effective participation of southern constituencies in these elections, and we will spare no effort to work with all of you to support social cohesion and long-lasting peace.”DSRSG Koury engaged with community stakeholders to discuss the political and security situation in the south and encouraged their participation in shaping the future of Libya in the UNSMIL-facilitated political process. At Sabha University, academics, civil society representatives and others shared their views of the priority issues to be addressed in the political talks, the internal and regional challenges, and the role of the United Nations. She emphasized the importance of inclusive dialogue, consensus-building, and active and meaningful participation, particularly from the women and youth, in addressing short term and longer-term needs.She also highlighted the importance of fair and equitable management of resources and equal treatment for all Libyans. “The UN views this issue as paramount for any successful political process,” she said, adding that maintaining civic space, and equal rights in Libya was important to creating a unified approach for all people in Libya.DSRSG Chuma and the heads of UN agencies saw first-hand the progress of UN-supported development projects in the area. “The south has immense potential, and we are committed to supporting its sustainable development and stability under the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2023–2025, which was developed in partnership with the Libyan authorities, to address the challenges and priorities of communities across the country, including the South,” he said.The delegation also met senior military officials to discuss the improved security situation in the south and   border security challenges noting the UN’s ongoing dedication to support Libya’s transition to peace and stability.The UN will continue to work with all stakeholders to address the challenges facing the country and promote an inclusive political process, going hand-in-hand with its support to sustainable development and human rights across the country.