UNICEF and WHO said in a joint statement that the lives and health of over a quarter of a million children under one year of age in Libya are at risk from vaccine-preventable diseases due to critical shortages in vaccine supplies.

UNICEF and WHO have raised the alarm over severe vaccine shortages in Libya that are putting more than 250,000 children at severe risk.

"The situation is made worse by the continued armed conflict, the COVID-19 pandemic, disrupted health care services, regular power cuts, shortages of safe water supplies and the closure of schools and child-friendly spaces." The statement reads.

UNICEF Special Representative, Abdel-Rahman Ghandour, said immunization is one of the most effective public health interventions and when routine vaccinations are missed, there is a high chance of a resurgence of a measles outbreak, other preventable diseases, and fatalities among the children.

“There is an urgent need to ensure an uninterrupted flow of funds for vaccine procurement to cater for the current shortfall." Ghandour added.

He said UNICEF renews offering its procurement services to the Government of Libya to procure WHO prequalified vaccines at competitive prices and have them delivered to Libya urgently.