The African Development Bank announced signing three agreements with the Government of National Unity (GNU) to give technical assistance to Libya to reaffirm its commitment to the support of the country.
The agreements were signed in Tripoli, the bank said, on 21 November 2023, the first day of a consultation mission by an African Development Bank delegation led by Mrs Malinne Blomberg, deputy director general for the North Africa region and country manager for Libya.
The bank added that the grants included one million dollars in emergency support which will be channeled through the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in collaboration with the Libyan government and used to procure much needed wash and hygiene kits and emergency materials for temporary learning spaces and rehabilitated classrooms.
The supplies, which were swiftly arranged by the bank, became necessary following the Derna floods which devastated the eastern part of the country. The three parties to the agreement will make the funds speedily available for the worst-affected people, especially women and children.
Libya’s Minister of Finance, Khalid Al-Mabrouk, thanked the bank for its prompt response and said Libya appreciated the support of the bank, namely the timeliness and efficiency demonstrated to approve the grants.
“The partnership with the Bank has always been strong and instrumental in advancing the development agenda of the Libyan authorities, and we value the assistance of the Bank in preparing and delivering on projects of strategic importance to Libya.” Al-Mabrouk added.
The UNICEF Representative for Libya, Michele Servadei, said the funds would be a crucial part of the emergency response to the floods.
“Thanks to this support UNICEF will focus on safe water provision, hygiene promotion and water quality monitoring, as well as supplies for school reopenings and for the delivery of psychosocial services. I believe this is an important step of a very fruitful partnership between our two organisations,” he said.
