Study on Explosive Ordnance Casualty Data Collection in Libya At Handicap International – Humanity & Inclusion

CONTEXT

The Libyan uprising nine years ago left the country in a state of turmoil. Since 2011, continued conflict in many parts of the country and political instability have resulted in a vacuum of effective governance and caused significant collapse in the country’s political-institutional system. While the political situation and peace process seems to be on a better path, security, rule of law and social and economic well-being of the Libyan population have all been severely affected by years of conflict and over 400,000 persons are now internally displaced across the country. The resilience of the Libyan population is steadily reducing, as individuals and communities are facing uncertainty regarding their future, with a very limited capacity of the authorities and relevant institutions to respond to their needs. This combination of factors results in protracted psychosocial distress, loss of perspective and resilience, and eventually increases mental health disorders amongst individuals – which in turn affects the community as a whole.

The healthcare system in Libya is one of the hardest hit, having deteriorated to the point of collapse. Ongoing challenges include increased rates of chronic illness, disability and access to essential services such as medicine and rehabilitation. Hospitals struggle to absorb the number of patients and to cope with a lack of resources, including a shortage of staff and essential medicines and supplies. According to the World Health Organization, around 1.3 million people have no access to life-saving health care services. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the already existing vulnerability of the Libyan population, adding up to the effects from years of conflict, and a collapsing healthcare system.

In addition, while Libya already faced high Explosive Ordnance (EO) contamination due to nine years of conflict, EO contamination in the greater Tripoli area and in Sirt has increased considerably since the LNA offensive in April 2019 and the counter offensive of GNA in March 2020. Meanwhile, most humanitarian mine action operations were suspended in areas affected by the hostilities in the second quarter of 2019. Indiscriminate shelling, EO left by the various forces involved in the conflict, and the increased use of improvised explosive devices caused new displacements, a new layer of land contamination, and a rise in EO related accidents, killing and injuring civilians and non-civilians, including mine clearance and humanitarian workers. In contaminated areas, local populations, internally displaced persons and returning populations are all at risk of death and injury.

The identification of the most vulnerable individuals, including people with disabilities or injuries, and the rapid response to essential needs is a priority for the humanitarian community working throughout Libya.

Handicap International in Libya

HI is currently implementing several programmes in Tripoli, Misrata and Benghazi, supporting vulnerable persons and their families such as explosive ordnance survivors, other people with disabilities (including people living with mental health problems), people with chronic diseases, older persons, displaced persons and families, migrants and refugees. Activities include provision of comprehensive rehabilitation services including physical therapy and psychosocial support, provision of assistive & mobility devices as per needed; capacity building, technical support and donations of assistive devices and/or materials and equipment to health partners; training on inclusion principles to other humanitarian actors and health workers;

Since early 2019 HI is implementing a three-year project entitled ‘Action for Mental Health Assistance in Libya’ (AMAL) as part of wider initiatives to improve the access and quality of health care services in Libya. Implemented in partnership with the Libyan Ministry of Health and a Tunisian NGO, the overall objective of the project is to allow the most vulnerable people in Libya from host communities, those internally displaced and returnees and migrants, suffering from mental health disorders/psychosocial disabilities to regain or to preserve good mental health by accessing quality interventions at community level, primary health care level, and secondary and tertiary level.

From July 2020, HI also started a one-year project in partnership with UNDP, which aims to enhance the development of a culture of peace, cooperation and responsibility – with a focus on youth (male and female) – through improved provision of MHPSS services at community level. This project will strongly rely on Libyan Civil Society Organisations.

HI is also involved in Humanitarian Mine Action (HMA) activities. Given the recent events and increase in EO related accidents, HI also develop EORE and victim assistance activities through the project ‘Improve prevention of explosive ordnances’ risks and assistance to explosive ordnance victims in Libya’.

Background of the project

HI will work on developing and implementing an Explosive Ordnance Victim Information System (EOVIS). Next, on the basis of the existing Information Management System for Mine Action (IMSMA) Victim and Accident Forms, HI will work with Humanitarian Mine Action actors and operators, different ministries in charge of victim assistance related services to redefine the forms.

OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

General Objective

To report on the existing explosive ordnance casualty data collection processes in Libya and make recommendations to ensure this data can facilitate access to services to EO survivors and other people with similar needs.

Specific Objectives

• Understand what explosive ordnance casualty reporting and data management processes exist in Libya
• Identify who is collecting data, for which reason, how it is being shared, how it is being accessed & used
• Understand the successes, shortfalls, and challenges in current EO casualty data collection and information sharing practices
• Provide recommendations on how to improve EO casualty data reporting, collection and dissemination on the basis of international good practices

Deliverables

• Light literature review of casualty data collection practices in countries around the world – particularly Cambodia, Laos and Colombia
• Final brief detailing:

1. • Current EO casualty data collection practices in Libya
2. • Stakeholders collecting EO casualty data, for which reason, how data is being shared, accessed and used
3. • Success, shortfalls, challenges in current EO casualty data collecting and information sharing practices
4. • Recommendations on how to improve the implementation of EO casualty data reporting, collection and dissemination in Libya, including which authority is best placed to house this data beyond the lifetime of LibMAC.

• Final presentations to mine action stakeholders in Libya, relevant ministries, national and international service providers, the protection cluster, UNMAS, survivor organizations.

Stakeholders involved in the study

Stake holders involved in the study include the LibMAC, various Ministries (including Health, Education, Labour and Social Affairs), UNICEF, UNMAS, community leaders, civil society organizations (including Disabled Persons Organizations), other Mine Action operators, and service providers.

Geographical coverage

The study will work with national level authorities in Libya, with particular attention to data collection and management in Greater Tripoli

Timeline

Consultancy duration: May – June 2022 (4 weeks)

Required background and skills

• Master’s degree in social sciences, law or a related field in development
• At least 5 years’ experience working in Mine Action programming in humanitarian, recovery or development setting
• Concrete experience in analyzing issues pertaining to International Mine Action Standards
• Previous experience in working with national data collection and management systems, experience of HMA data management is an asset but not essential.
• Demonstrated experience in the field of injury and disability with experience in Victim Assistance (research, evaluation and consultation) being a plus.
• Previous experience with primary research and experience working with secondary sources for research purposes
• Proven understanding of Libya context
• Good understanding of Libyan government and legal system, familiarity with Libyan law
• Excellent English language and writing skills
• Knowledge of Arabic and French would be an asset