Latest news with #VHR
Libya Review
2 days ago
- Politics
- Libya Review
Thousands of Migrants Return Home from Libya
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has confirmed that more than 100,000 migrants have voluntarily returned to their countries of origin from Libya over the past decade, under the Voluntary Humanitarian Return (VHR) programme launched in 2015. According to an official IOM statement, the initiative has helped migrants from 49 countries—mainly in Africa and Asia—repatriate safely. These include Nigeria, Mali, Niger, and Bangladesh. The total includes approximately 73,000 men, 17,000 women, and over 10,000 children, some of whom were unaccompanied minors. Libya remains a key transit hub for irregular migration, the IOM warned, projecting that the number of migrants in the country could exceed 800,000 by the end of 2025, driven by worsening living conditions and continued migratory flows. The statement highlights that migrants from Sub-Saharan Africa make up the largest group in Libya. Many view the country as a gateway to Europe, despite the dangers posed by crossing the Mediterranean. The IOM also noted that deteriorating conditions in detention centres and border regions have led a growing number of migrants to request assistance in returning home voluntarily. Escalating humanitarian and economic challenges inside Libya have further amplified these demands. Libya has been in chaos since a NATO-backed uprising toppled longtime leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. The county has for years been split between rival administrations. Libya's economy, heavily reliant on oil, has suffered due to the ongoing conflict. The instability has led to fluctuations in oil production and prices, impacting the global oil market and Libya's economy. The conflict has led to a significant humanitarian crisis in Libya, with thousands of people killed, and many more displaced. Migrants and refugees using Libya as a transit point to Europe have also faced dire conditions. The planned elections for December 2021 were delayed due to disagreements over election laws and the eligibility of certain candidates. This delay has raised concerns about the feasibility of a peaceful political transition. Despite the ceasefire, security remains a significant concern with sporadic fighting and the presence of mercenaries and foreign fighters. The unification of the military and the removal of foreign forces are crucial challenges. Tags: AfricaIOMlibyamigrantsmigration
Libya Review
4 days ago
- General
- Libya Review
IOM: 100,000 Migrants Returned Home from Libya Since 2015
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has announced a major milestone, revealing that more than 100,000 migrants have voluntarily returned home from Libya since 2015 under its Voluntary Humanitarian Return (VHR) programme. The figure highlights a decade of IOM's efforts to support migrants stranded across Libya in unsafe conditions, providing them with a safe and dignified way to return to their home countries. According to IOM, migrants returned to 49 countries across Africa and Asia, including Nigeria, Niger, Mali, Bangladesh and The Gambia. Of the total, nearly 73,000 were men, around 17,000 were women, and over 10,000 were children—many of them unaccompanied. Nicoletta Giordano, Chief of Mission at IOM Libya, said the programme remains essential amid high protection risks and limited legal migration pathways. 'VHR offers a crucial, life-saving option for those who wish to return home,' she said. The VHR programme provides comprehensive support before departure and after return, including travel document assistance, health checks, psychosocial support, and reintegration help. IOM stressed that all returns are voluntary and based on informed consent, even when options are limited. The organisation uses strong monitoring and evaluation tools to ensure accountability and improve assistance. Just last week, IOM arranged five return flights—from Benghazi, Sebha, and Misrata—demonstrating the broad reach of the programme. Among those helped are John and Temnaia, a Nigerian couple who met in Libya. After the birth of their daughter, they struggled to find opportunities for her future. 'We didn't see a future for her here,' John said, underscoring the importance of the VHR route. While IOM continues to support voluntary returns, it remains concerned about the risks facing migrants along the Central Mediterranean route. Tags: ImmigrationIOMlibyamigrantsVHR
Yemen Online
26-03-2025
- General
- Yemen Online
IOM Chief Sounds Alarm as Yemen Marks a Decade of War and Humanitarian Despair
As Yemen enters its eleventh year of conflict, the country remains in the grip of relentless suffering. Close to 20 million people rely on aid to survive, with many having endured repeated displacement, rising hunger, and the collapse of essential services. An estimated 4.8 million people remain displaced across Yemen, many living in makeshift shelters that offer little protection against harsh weather and minimal access to basic services. Women and children are among the most affected, exposed to heightened risks of violence, malnutrition, and poor health. At the same time, floods, droughts, and extreme weather are worsening the already dire situation. Stranded migrants face brutal conditions with little chance of escape. Yet, as funding shortfalls worsen, humanitarian efforts are unable to keep up, leaving countless people in urgent need. 'The war in Yemen has faded from global attention, but for those living through it, the suffering has never stopped,' said International Organization for Migration (IOM) Director General Amy Pope. 'After more than a decade of conflict, displacement, and economic collapse, Yemen remains one of the world's most severe humanitarian crises. However, as global attention shifts elsewhere, funding is dwindling. Now, more than ever, global solidarity is needed to prevent millions from being left behind.' Now, as the holy month of Ramadan unfolds, the weight of this crisis is even heavier. For many in Yemen, iftar will not be a time of gathering and abundance, but another night of going to sleep hungry, uncertain of what tomorrow will bring. While families around the world prepare for Eid, Yemenis will mark yet another holiday in the shadow of war, where loss, hunger, and hardship have become the norm. Despite ongoing efforts to provide aid, severe funding gaps are making it harder to reach those in greatest need. In many areas, displaced communities are surviving with barely any assistance. As needs grow, resources continue to shrink, leaving millions at risk. While Yemenis suffer the effects of war, tens of thousands of migrants also remain stranded, having arrived in the country hoping to reach the Gulf in search of better opportunities. Instead, they face exploitation, detention, violence, and dangerous journeys through active conflict zones. In 2024 alone, nearly 60,900 migrants arrived in Yemen, often with no means to survive. For many, the only way out is through IOM's Voluntary Humanitarian Return (VHR) programme, which helps migrants return home safely. Yet, without increased funding, even these critical efforts could be scaled back, leaving thousands of migrants trapped in Yemen, in increasingly dire conditions. 'The people of Yemen cannot afford to be forgotten,' DG Pope added. 'As families break their fast with barely enough to eat, as parents face another Eid unable to provide for their children, and as migrants remain stranded with no way home, the world cannot turn away. Every day without action means more suffering, more lives lost, and less hope for the future'. As Yemen marks another year of war, IOM calls on the international community to act now, before more lives are lost. Humanitarian needs remain vast, and the consequences of inaction will be severe. The already dire situation is at risk of becoming even more neglected, as global crises compete for attention and resources.
