Tunis, 08 December - The Humanitarian Country Team for Libya convened a coordination meeting with Libyan Non-Governmental Organisations (LNGO) to discuss better engagement and communication in the current humanitarian response for the country.

Ways of working in difficult circumstances was the main focus.

The meeting, at which the UN Humanitarian Response Plan was presented and analysed by participants from UN agencies, INGOs, LNGOs and representatives of a number of countries, provided an excellent opportunity for Libyan organisations to present some of the operational challenges of their work.

The Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Humanitarian Coordinator for Libya, Ali Al-Za’tari, said that the humanitarian response is critically hampered by difficulties in accessing affected areas. He described the meeting as “a vital step in improving these relationships…and ultimately the humanitarian response in Libya.”

Salem al-Gammoudi, the head of Sheikh Taher az-zawwi Organization, noted that “this coordination meeting, the first of its kind with the international community, is very important and we hope for, and support, further communication between local and international NGOs on Libya in order to simplify the arrival of aid to those in need”.

The meeting was supported by members of the Humanitarian Country Team for Libya and included a wide representation from the international community that works on Libya but is based in Tunis.

The Libyan participants came from across the country and had a strong mix of expertise in the various sectors discussed.

Claudio Colantoni, the International Medical Corps’ Country Director, said that “such a meeting is useful in identifying how Libyan NGOs can facilitate delivery and implementation.”

Mariam Muhammad Auheida, the head of the Association of IDPs in Benghazi, summarized by saying that “we need international organizations and the international community to give more trust to local NGOs working on the ground…the greatest priority is for shelter, in the shortest time possible, especially now that winter has come."