Libya has been engulfed by conflict for nearly a decade now.
The fall of dictator Muammar Gaddafi in 2011 was supposed to herald a new phase of social development and freedom for the country of six million.
Instead, it brought about political and economic instability and plunged Libyans into what many describe as their darkest days.
Wadah Alkish, a young Tripoli resident, told Euronews things are “really hopeless” as Libya now faces a new and invisible threat: COVID-19.
Alkish sent us a few audio messages on Facebook, explaining how life has changed since authorities started imposing curfews in different parts of the country and enforced lockdowns to try and halt the spread of coronavirus.
“For people like me who don’t get a salary from the government, things are really difficult,” Alkish said. He used to do a series of jobs including ride-sharing services “just like Uber, the Uber services in America, but not exactly”, Alkish said.
Alkish sent us a few audio messages on Facebook, explaining how life has changed since authorities started imposing curfews in different parts of the country and enforced lockdowns to try and halt the spread of coronavirus.
“For people like me who don’t get a salary from the government, things are really difficult,” Alkish said. He used to do a series of jobs including ride-sharing services “just like Uber, the Uber services in America, but not exactly”, Alkish said.
His joking tone changed when he described the situation right now: “Since the curfew started, my customers don’t call me. They don’t have anywhere to go. So I wasn’t able to make any money during the last couple of weeks.”
Residents in the capital also faced electricity and water shortages in the past few days, Alkish said. “People were about to lose their minds, I mean… no electricity, no water… only a few hours to go out and get your stuff together, you know?”