Seven kilometres from Benghazi, Libya’s second-largest city, lies the neighbourhood of Al Kwifia, named for its natural springs, underground wells, and water caves. For decades, the area’s water infrastructure had suffered from neglect, leaving thousands of residents without reliable access to running water.
Al Kwifia, Libya: Water flows again
Working closely with the General Water and Sanitation Company, local authorities, and the community, the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) assessed the neighbourhood’s water pump station and planned its renovation.
Residents consistently reported long periods without running water and had to rely on costly or unreliable alternatives. NRC’s assessment revealed that only one pump was operational and functioning at just 50 per cent of its capacity, leaving many families without steady water supply.
The team installed two new pumps, repaired and cleaned the storage tanks, and upgraded the station’s facilities to allow safer, more reliable operations. These improvements now allow water to reach households more consistently, helping families plan their days and manage daily needs with ease. The restoration of the station was completed in November 2025 and brought immediate relief, allowing families to plan their days around a reliable water source for the first time in years.
Today, the station stands in bright blue and white, a reflection of the water the city embodies and a symbol of renewed life flowing through the community. At a handover ceremony, local leaders and NRC staff members celebrated the return of reliable water to more than 5,000 residents. Families shared their joy at finally having running water at home after years without it.
“Our focus was not only to restore water flow, but to ensure the station can operate safely and reliably for years to come,” says an NRC engineer involved in the renovation.
The General Water and Sanitation Company will continue operating and maintaining the station, ensuring that the benefits of this project last well into the future.
This project was made possible with the support of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) through KfW Development Bank, showing what can be achieved when communities, local authorities, and humanitarian actors work together.
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