Life in Libya Today
Very little is known about what life is really like in Libya these days for the average Libyan. At RPS Partnership we have a Libyan colleague, a former journalist, based in Libya, who updates us about the local situation and how life goes on in the post-Gaddafi climate. We choose not to name him for his personal security.
Contact us on [email protected] for more information on training courses we run to prepare you for working in difficult locations. We run Hostile Environment Awareness Training (HEAT) or Hostile Environment Training (HET), click here to see our courses. Click here to see our gallery for photos of our training.
There are still many problems all over Libya, one of the main ones for locals is caused by the lack of currency. There are huge differences in the currency value from the central bank to that of the black market. This is causing problems and making life much harder. The results of this are not only an increase in theft but also an increase in kidnapping. However, in the last few months things have started to slowly improve and the unsafe areas in Tripoli, for example, are getting less and less. The banks are starting to take control and are working to reduce the amount of black market currency business. However, the issue of the average person struggling to make ends meet still remains as life gets more and more expensive.
There are still no real media outlets and local journalists movements are being restricted, depending on what story they are trying to tell. Foreign journalists are being allowed back in with permission from local governments. Their movements are being monitored by government controlled guards, but not restricted.
Local understanding is that the governments and local population, for the most part, are trying to encourage foreigners back in to help get projects moving and assisting in getting Libya operating again. Some overseas oil workers as well as UN Workers are now being seen in Tripoli.
Benghazi Airport was this week opened for the first time in three years. The security around the airport and in fact all of Benghazi is strictly controlled by Hafter forces, who are fiercely loyal. It is believed locally that they are having problems operating governmental sectors due to lack of management structures.
On a positive note, Libya has two of the best Roman sites in the world, Leptis Magna and Sibratha. None of the fighting happened in these areas and apart from some minor looting they remain largely intact as before the war.
If you are planning to travel overseas to challenging environments RPS Partnership offers Travel Security Training Courses that address the issues associated with ensuring your own safety whilst travelling for work or leisure.
We offer bespoke travel security awareness workshops as well as training courses designed for those travelling to and working in difficult, remote or challenging locations, low intensity conflict and high crime areas as well as areas where there is a high threat of terrorism
We have male and female trainers who are all qualified trainers with vast experience gained over the years; we can tailor training to your specific area of travel. Contact us on [email protected] for more information.
Check out the new video for what to do it caught up in a terrorist attack, produced by the FCO and ABTA. Click here.
For continued updates and further Libya information, email us on [email protected]
Photos: RPS Partnership
Leptis Magna & Tripoli Market, Libya