TRIPOLI – The number of Syrian refugees seeking sanctuary in Libya last month shot up to over 1,300 people, according to figures released by the UN refugee agency UNHCR. In September just 75 Syrian refugees were registered by UNHCR but in November the figure increased to 1,378. In Tripoli 402 new cases were recorded, with a further 976 refugees in Misrata. Of those in registered in Misrata, 784 were Syrian nationals and 192 were Palestinians, according to UNHCR's latest report. As the conflict worsens, both Syrians and Palestinians, thought to be from Palestinian refugee camps in Syria, are seeking refuge in friendly Arab countries. “Many of these people entered Libya over the last few weeks,” UNHCR said, adding that: “The urban assistance programme established for refugees and asylum-seekers in Libya has been extended to persons displaced from Syria, using the same vulnerability criteria.” UNHCR said that they continued to monitor the situation of refugees and asylum-seekers. They are currently working on a ‘winterisation programme' to help the most vulnerable refugees and asylum-seekers in Libya to get through the winter months. Winter packages are being distributed from now until the end of January. – Libya Herald
