TRIPOLI: Around 36,000 child migrants, including 14,000 who are unaccompanied, need help in Libya, a major transit hub for migrants trying to reach Europe, UN agencies said Monday.
Out of about 400,000 migrants in Libya, nine percent are children, the UN children’s agency UNICEF and the International Organization for Migration said in a joint statement.
UNICEF and the IOM described the number of unaccompanied children among those needing assistance as shocking.
So far this year, nearly 15,000 unaccompanied children have reached Italy after crossing the Mediterranean, they said.
But 400 died trying to make the treacherous journey, and many more were abused, exploited and detained.
In response, the two agencies said they had joined forces and agreed an “action plan” focusing on child protection, education, water, sanitation and health.
“This collaboration will ensure that child rights are put at the heart of all assistance in Libya,” a statement said.
In 2018, the IOM aims to repatriate 30,000 migrants as part of a voluntary return program, including many children, and around 15,000 have been sent back this year.
“We will be able to collectively work to ensure that all children, no matter their status, are able to gain an education, be protected and receive the basic services they deserve,” said Abdel-Rahman Ghandour, UNICEF special representative in Libya.
Last month, US television network CNN broadcast video footage appearing to show migrants being sold as slaves near the Libyan capital Tripoli.
UN: 36,000 child migrants need aid in Libya
UN: 36,000 child migrants need aid in Libya
Oman to host Middle East Space Conference 2026
- The three-day event gathers over 450 senior decision-makers, including government leaders and space agencies, to discuss space ecosystem
- Topics on the agenda for MESC 2026 include national space policies, agency strategies and financing methods for space-related initiatives
LONDON: Oman and Novaspace are organizing the second edition of the Middle East Space Conference in the capital, Muscat, to discuss space development in the region.
The three-day event from Jan. 26-28 brings together over 450 senior decision-makers from 190 organizations across 20 countries, including government leaders, space agencies, investors, and academics, to discuss the Middle East space ecosystem.
Oman’s Ministry of Transport, Communications, and Information Technology, in collaboration with Novaspace — a global leader in space consulting — is hosting the high-level conference to promote dialogue and deal-making, strengthening Oman’s role as a key hub for space applications and investments in the region.
“Muscat will serve as a focal point for investors, industry leaders, and policymakers seeking to engage in the next phase of growth of the Middle East space economy,” the statement said.
Topics on the agenda for MESC 2026 include national space policies, agency strategies, satellite program development and financing methods for space-related initiatives.
The program will focus on the impact of space applications, including satellite communications, urban development, and environmental sustainability. It will conclude by bringing together regulators, investors, and startups to discuss regulatory frameworks and talent development, the organizers added.
Oman’s space sector, managed by the Ministry of Transport, Communications, and Information Technology, uses satellite communications, remote sensing, and monitoring to promote economic development, environmental protection, and national security in line with Oman Vision 2040.
