A report from the international organization “Doctors Without Borders” (MSF) detailed its announcement of receiving a notification from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh’s government, requiring it to leave Libya by November 9, 2025, a move that has raised the organization’s concerns about its humanitarian and health repercussions.
The Organization Expresses Regret and Warns of Consequences
Al Marsad newspaper quoted Steve Borberek, MSF’s Head of Programs in Libya, as saying: “We deeply regret this decision and are concerned about its consequences for the health of those we have helped. We believe we still have an important role to play in the country in diagnosing and treating tuberculosis and supporting the health system.”
The Organization’s Role in Supporting Refugees and Migrants
Borberek added that the organization’s role is not limited to combating tuberculosis but also includes providing healthcare to refugees and migrants who are excluded from public care services and are exposed to arbitrary detention and violence. He noted that the organization’s work permit with the Libyan authorities is still valid, expressing hope that a solution to this situation can be found.
A Decision Part of a Broader Crackdown on International Organizations
The report clarified that the decision comes in a broader context of restricting the activities of non-governmental organizations and imposing sharp cuts on international aid funding, alongside the strengthening of European border policies in cooperation with Libyan authorities. This occurs at a time marked by a growing absence of international bodies providing medical care to refugees and migrants in the western part of the country.