Policy brief: Perceptions about the EU’s Crisis Response in Libya

Within the EU’s approach to crisis management, it is crucial to consider the point of view of all stakeholders to ensure that the crisis response is in line with European commitments towards local ownership and conflict sensitivity. This EUNPACK Policy Brief discusses the perceptions of those who have been exposed to the EU’s responses to the crisis unfolding in Libya. It is based on the results of a survey completed in the summer of 2017 by 228 respondents. It highlights, on the one hand, that while the EU is the most widely-known international actor involved in crisis response in Libya, the impact of its initiatives is less visible, thereby prompting a certain degree of dissatisfaction, if not of scepticism. This reaction is particularly pronounced remarkable among ethnic minorities living in peripheral regions. On the other hand, the EU is particularly praised for its initiatives in the fields of humanitarian assistance and capacity building, targeting most notably the most vulnerable social groups.

To make sure that the EU’s crisis response in Libya achieves the highest degree of conflict sensitivity, appropriateness and effectiveness, the EU should:

• Pay greater attention to security sector reform (SSR) as a pillar of crisis response in Libya.
• Avoid undermining the positive image of the EU’s humanitarian commitment by engaging in contradictory policies.
• Ensure that crisis-response initiatives are coherent with the needs of all Libyan social groups, including ethnic minorities.
• Improve the monitoring and evaluation of its crisis response towards achieving its stated goals. 5. Invest more resources in conflict-sensitive crisis response.