Libya INGO Forum

About Us

The Libya INGO Forum (LIF) is an independent network of 23 international non-governmental organizations (INGOs) implementing humanitarian programs, or in the process of setting-up operations, to respond to the needs of the vulnerable population living in Libya. The LIF was established in 2016 to share information and promote the voice of INGOs in the humanitarian response within Libya, and has had a dedicated Coordinator since May 2018.

This platform aims at bringing together INGOs working in Libya to help them to efficiently address key issues of common interest and improve the coherence and effectiveness of humanitarian relief. The Forum supports its members to work jointly on collective initiatives and focuses its efforts through four main areas: coordination, representation, policy and advocacy, and information-sharing.

The “Libya INGO Forum” designates the assembly of the 23 INGOs that constitutes it.

The “Libya INGO Forum secretariat” is a team of 4 persons fully dedicated to support the coordination of the INGO forum. It does not oversee any operations in Libya and works to provide support according to the needs of the Forum members. Currently, the Director of the secretariat is Sophia Guirguis, director@ingoforumlibya.org.

The secretariat is being administratively supported (or “hosted”) in turn by INGOs, members of the forum, based on goodwill. This means concretely that the host is providing office space, contracting the secretariat team and facilitating logistics, legal and security requirements for the secretariat for the period of the hosting arrangement. Currently, the INGO Forum secretariat is hosted by the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), an INGO implementing humanitarian operations in Libya and member of the Forum.

The Forum Secretariat work is focused on:

Coordination: The Forum Secretariat facilitates information sharing and mutual understanding among our members and organises regular meetings between member country directors, HR, admin and finance teams, security focal points and advocacy leads. We also act as a focal point for external actors to develop effective relationships between INGOs and different stakeholders.

Representation: We consistently represent our members in external meetings and coordination mechanisms and ensure their inclusion in critical decision-making platforms. The Libya INGO Forum aims at being an interface between its members and all actors involved in the Libya response, starting with the Libyan authorities, the members of the international community, and all agencies mandated to support crisis-affected populations in Libya.

Advocacy: We mobilize our members on collective positioning on critical issues to support engagement with donors, UN agencies, policy makers and other relevant stakeholders at national, regional and international levels. We strive to create an enabling environment for INGOs to work collectively and with a unified voice.

Information sharing and knowledge management: We ensure an effective and transparent sharing of essential information relevant to both our members and external stakeholders, and generate data and analysis on NGOs’ work in Libya.

Safety and security: The members of the Libya INGO Forum are convinced that security, safety and well-being of humanitarian personnel prevail. To enhance the duty of care of its members, the LIF organizes regular security trainings to build the capacity of national and international staff to safely deliver humanitarian aid to the most vulnerable populations. The LIF also supports the members with information sharing, analysis and guidance to enhance situational awareness and inform operational decision-making.

Libya NGOs liaison: The INGO Forum is committed to strengthening relationships, linkages and collaborative efforts with existing Libyan NGOs and local Civil Society networks and platforms.

As of September 2020, the Libya INGO Forum is composed of the following 18 member organizations:

ACF – Against Against Hunger
ACTED – Agence d’Aide à la coopération technique et au développement
CEFA – Comitato Europeo per la Formazione e l’Agricultura
CESVI – Cooperazione e Sviluppo
DRC/DDG – Danish Refugee Council/Danish Demining Group
FADV – Fondazione L’Albero della Vita
GC – Geneva Call
GVC – Gruppo di Volontariato Civile
HALO Trust
Help Code
HI – Humanity & Inclusion
IMC – International Medical Corps
INTERSOS
IRC – International Refugee Council
Mercy Corps
NRC– Norwegian Refugee Council
PUI – Première Urgence International
TdH Italy – Terre des Hommes Italy

In addition, 5 INGOs have an observer status with the Forum:

ICRC – International Committee of the Red Cross and the Red Crescent
MMC – Mixed Migration Centre
MSF France – Médecins sans Frontière France
MSF Holland – Médecins sans Frontière Holland
REACH