Attachments
Emergency Transit Mechanisms (ETMs) in Niger and Rwanda, have offered safe transit for over 6,800 vulnerable forcibly displaced people registered with UNHCR in Libya since 2017. The aim of ETMs is to identify durable solutions such as resettlement and complementary legal pathways with financial support from the European Union (EU) and resettlement pledges by EU Member States and other countries.
Libya: UNHCR and partners conducted 33 visits to detention centres (DCs) in January to monitor the overall conditions and identify people who need international protection and humanitarian assistance. UNHCR and partner IRC provided core relief items (CRIs) to 1,407 individuals and provided 389 medical consultations to people in detention. These visits are part of the UNHCR’s ongoing commitment to address urgent humanitarian needs within detention facilities, where individuals often lack essential supplies and face harsh conditions. At the end of January, 5,762 individuals were detained of whom 14 per cent (830) are potentially in need of international protection. UNHCR welcomed the release of 78 women and children, from Abusalim detention centre. Upon release, they were registered with UNHCR, and received financial assistance, medical treatment, blankets, clothes and personal care items. Some also received temporary shelter through UNHCR’s dedicated caregivers. UNHCR continues to work closely with the Libyan authorities, including the Directorate for Combatting Illegal Migration (DCIM), for the release of all refugees and asylum-seekers, especially the most vulnerable.
In January 28 people comprising 19 evacuees from Libya and nine Niger-registered refugees departed Niger for resettlement in Canada and Norway, totalling 6,773 departures on resettlement and through complementary legal pathways to 13 countries, since 2017. Canada remained the top receiving country with 1, 849 persons. The suspension of the United States Refugee Admissions Programme (UNRAP) on 20 January by the new US administration affected 824 people, including 684 Niger-registered refugees, 12 evacuees who were awaiting interviews or interview decisions and 126 Niger-registered refugees awaiting departures to the US. UNHCR has been raising awareness amongst the suspended cases, while seeking other solutions.
Niger
Key figures:
4,242 people evacuated from Libya to Niger since November 2017 on 33 flights. No evacuations fight since May 2023.
6,773 people departed on resettlement/ complementary pathways from Niger.
Among them:
4,273 evacuees from Libya.
2,500 refugees registered in Niger.
133 evacuees currently remain in Niger.
9 refugees await departure.
103 interviews/decisions pending by third countries.
13 pending re-submissions and 8 rejected cases.
Rwanda
Key figures:
2,623 people evacuated from Libya to Rwanda since September 2019 on 19 flights, (four flights in 2024 with 415 people).
2,062 refugees resettled.
15 people departed through complementary pathways from Rwanda.
614 people currently waiting in Rwanda.
Among them:
82 people pending departure and predeparture formalities.
223 interviews/decisions pending by third countries. 309 pending submissions.