On 27 March 2025, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) was instructed to suspend our activities in Libya following the closure of our premises by the Libyan Internal Security Agency (ISA) and the interrogation of several staff members. This wave of repression also affected nine other humanitarian organisations operating in the west of the country. The suspension has now evolved into an order to leave the country by 9 November 2025, as expressed in a letter we received from the Libyan Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Since the suspension began in March, MSF has consistently expressed our desire to provide medical care in Libya once again, and we have continued to engage with the authorities.

“We deeply regret this decision by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and we are concerned about the consequences for the health of the people we assisted,” says Steve Purbrick, head of programmes for MSF in Libya. “We believe that MSF still has an important role to play in Libya, particularly in the diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis, in supporting the Libyan health system, and also in providing access to healthcare for refugees and migrants, who are excluded from care and subject to arbitrary detention and serious violence in the country.”

In a context where the obstruction of NGO work is increasing, drastic cuts in international aid funding have been enacted, and European border policies are being reinforced in collaboration with the Libyan authorities, there are now no international NGOs providing medical care to refugees and migrants in western Libya.

“No reason has been given to justify our expulsion and the process remains unclear,” says Pubrick. “MSF's registration with the relevant authorities in the country remains valid, so we hope to be able to find a positive solution to this situation.”