Italy welcomed 97 vulnerable refugees from Tripoli, Libya, to Rome’s Fiumicino Airport on Tuesday. This move is part of a plan to evacuate 1,500 people in need of international protection from Libya to Italy over the next three years.
The group, consisting of 55 women and 27 children from countries including Eritrea, Ethiopia, the Central African Republic, Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan, Syria, and Palestine, features individuals who have faced trafficking, survived torture and gender-based violence, and suffer from serious health conditions.
The evacuation follows a protocol signed in December by Italy’s interior and foreign ministries, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), ARCI, the Community of Sant’Egidio, the Federation of Evangelical Churches, and INMP, aiming to offer support and a safe haven for those escaping conflict and persecution.
Upon their arrival, the refugees were moved to reception centers operated by ARCI and the Community of Sant’Egidio, where they will receive integration support, including language training and assistance with employment.
This operation continues the efforts of the UNHCR and the Italian government, which have, since 2017, evacuated or resettled 1,368 refugees and asylum seekers from Libya to Italy. These actions are part of a larger strategy to create safe pathways for individuals seeking international protection, providing an alternative to dangerous sea crossings.
Libya has become a primary transit point for migrants trying to reach Europe, with its instability and conflict since the fall of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011 exacerbating the vulnerability of many to human traffickers. This evacuation initiative highlights the ongoing humanitarian efforts by countries like Italy to address migration and refugee challenges in Libya and the wider region.
