Italy gives Unicef €2m to safeguard children in Libya

Italy's foreign ministry said on Wednesday it had given two-million euros to protect children in war-wracked Libya, including migrants, through a grant to the United Nations children's fund Unicef

“With this project, the foreign ministry is taking action not only to bring relief to a geographic area in great distress," said Italy's deputy foreign minister Del Re.

"It will also contribute to improving the conditions and prospects of live of minors in the country, no matter if they are Libyan or migrants.”

The cash, which the foreign ministry has made available from Italy's Africa Fund, will fund measures to improve hygiene and health conditions in the area around Libya's war-wracked capital, Tripoli, according to the foreign ministry.

Part of the funds will be used to set up reception centres for vulnerable young people in Tripoli, who will receive medicines and safe shelter together with their families, the foreign ministry statement said.

Other measures include the rehabilitation of health facilities and the treatment of water in the areas of Tripoli that are at risk, the foreign ministry statement added.

“I have long been promoting actions to combat diarrhoea in children, which is the second cause of death of children under five worldwide,” Del Re said.