UN evacuates 164 refugees from Libya to Rwanda under emergency transit program

The UN refugee agency announced Thursday the emergency evacuation of 164 refugees and asylum seekers from Libya to Rwanda overnight, continuing a humanitarian operation that has relocated nearly 3,000 vulnerable individuals since 2019. The transfer brings the total number evacuated under the program to 2,924, of whom 2,585 have been resettled in third countries, the UNHCR reported.

Emergency Transit Mechanism

The evacuations operate under a 2019 agreement between the UNHCR, the African Union, and Rwanda, establishing an Emergency Transit Mechanism in Gashora Sector, Bugesera District. The facility provides shelter, protection, and life-saving support while UNHCR assesses refugees for resettlement to third countries. The program, supported by the European Union, has been expanded twice, most recently in January 2024, increasing capacity to 700 people and extending operations.

Humanitarian Context

The evacuations address the precarious situation of refugees and asylum seekers in Libya, where they face severe human rights challenges including arbitrary detention, violence, and exploitation. The program offers a safe passage option for the most vulnerable, providing immediate protection and a pathway toward durable solutions through resettlement to participating countries.