The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and the United Nations in Libya have said they are providing humanitarian assistance to migrants rescued at the Libyan border with Tunisia.

Development Diaries reports that with the support of the Libyan Border Guard (LBG) in Al-Assa, IOM and UN have provided 200 mattresses, 500 blankets, and 500 hygiene kits to migrants and persons in need of international protection.

IOM made this known in a tweet on Wednesday.

IOM & @UNinLibya partners, with support from LBG in Alasaa, are providing humanitarian assistance to migrants rescued at the border with Tunisia. This week 200 mattresses, 500 blankets, and 500 hygiene kits were provided to migrants & persons in need of international protection. pic.twitter.com/SPiy0gPtgE

— IOM Libya (@IOM_Libya) October 4, 2023

Since the second week of July, LBG has been rescuing sub-Saharan migrants who have been turned away by Tunisian authorities at the Libyan-Tunisian borders.

After Tunisian authorities started carrying out major expulsions in early July, hundreds of African migrants still arrive in Libya every day despite the country’s hot temperatures, according to the United Nations.

Figures from the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Society (IFRC) reveal that Libya has become home to at least 600,000 sub-Saharan migrants and the numbers are increasing.

Due to the heatwaves that have been affecting the area, rescued migrants have been discovered to have physical injuries like first-degree burns and were in extremely critical conditions.

The IOM said its Libya Voluntary Humanitarian Return programme provides critical assistance to vulnerable migrants for a voluntary, safe and dignified return to their home countries.

Photo source: IOM Libya