Rwanda hosts evacuees from Libya, as part of joint effort with African Union and UNHCR

The African Union, Rwanda, and UNHCR have evacuated 190 refugees and asylum seekers from Libya to Rwanda under the Emergency Transit Mechanism (ETM), with plans to transfer 500 more individuals in urgent need of protection. This initiative addresses the dire conditions faced by 4,700 refugees trapped in Libyan detention centers, as the partnership continues efforts to provide safety and long-term solutions for vulnerable populations.

The ETM, established under a 2019 agreement, will facilitate the evacuation of vulnerable groups, primarily from the Horn of Africa. An initial group of 500 refugees, including at-risk children and youth, will be transferred to Rwanda, where UNHCR will work to secure long-term solutions such as resettlement, safe returns, or integration in Rwanda.

This initiative builds on earlier efforts, with Rwanda playing a leadership role under AU guidelines. Since 2017, UNHCR has evacuated over 4,400 refugees from Libya, including 190 to Rwanda, highlighting the growing cooperation to address migration challenges in the region.