UN resumes evacuation of stranded migrants in Libya

Evacuation flights for migrants stranded in Libya have resumed, according to the United Nations Refugee Agency, UNHCR.

Flights out of Libya had been suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On 15 October 2020, the first flight in months took 150 irregular migrants, made up of Eritreans, Somalis and South Sudanese from Libya to Niger.

A UNHCR spokesperson said nearly all the evacuated migrants had experienced detention in Libya. It is estimated that more than 3,400 irregular migrants are currently in government detention centres across the country.

TMP_ 19/10/2020

Photo Credit: Shutterstock/Ms. Hulk

Photo Caption: Libya is a frequently used transit point for irregular migrants en route to Europe.