The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) in Libya has received a generous contribution of EUR 3 million from the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation through the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation to address the urgent food needs of Sudanese refugees and Libyan host communities. This support comes in response to the growing humanitarian crisis following the outbreak of conflict in Sudan in April 2023, which has driven over 357,000 Sudanese refugees to Libya by the end of August 2025. With daily arrivals averaging between 100 and 150 people, the number of refugees is projected to reach 550,000 by the end of 2025, nearly 50 percent higher than previous estimates.
Italian officials emphasized their commitment to supporting both Sudanese refugees and the Libyan communities hosting them. Isabella Lucaferri, Director of the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation’s Regional Office in Tunis, highlighted Italy’s dedication to ensuring basic needs, such as food security, are met even in challenging contexts. Gianluca Alberini, Italy’s Ambassador to Libya, underlined the tangible support Italy is providing through the EUR 3 million contribution, recognizing the efforts of Libyan communities in hosting refugees despite economic and social challenges.
Prior to this contribution, WFP Libya’s limited resources restricted assistance to around 50,000 Sudanese refugees per month. The Italian funding will allow WFP to expand its reach, providing monthly support to approximately 75,000 people from November 2025 to January 2026. Mohamed Sheikh, WFP Libya Country Director, noted that the rising refugee numbers have stretched available resources, and the timely contribution will enable continued delivery of life-saving food and nutrition assistance, particularly for vulnerable groups such as pregnant and nursing women and children under five.
WFP has called on the international community to increase support to meet the growing humanitarian needs of Sudanese refugees in Libya, ensuring that assistance continues for those most at risk.
