Hundreds of migrants have returned from Libya to their home countries under the International Organization for Migration’s voluntary humanitarian return program, which continues to assist stranded migrants in leaving Libya safely and with dignity.
According to a statement from the International Organization for Migration (IOM), a total of 152 Syrian nationals and 309 Bangladeshi citizens departed Libya this week on coordinated return flights.
The program, implemented in partnership with national governments, allows migrants who wish to return home voluntarily to do so through safe and organized procedures.
The IOM confirmed that the group of Syrian migrants flew from Tripoli to Damascus following an official request from the Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates.
The returnees included families who had been residing in Libya for more than a decade. Upon arrival in Syria, IOM staff assisted them in reaching their hometowns, primarily in Aleppo, Hama, and Homs.
On the same day, the Embassy of Bangladesh in Libya reported the successful repatriation of 309 of its citizens to Dhaka. The embassy coordinated closely with IOM and Libyan authorities to ensure their safe travel and reintegration support upon arrival.
The voluntary humanitarian return program provides a critical alternative for migrants trapped in difficult conditions, often facing detention, unemployment, or lack of documentation.
Through this initiative, IOM offers pre-departure assistance, medical checks, and reintegration support to help returnees rebuild their lives after arriving home.
The IOM noted that its operations in Syria have expanded since July, following the Syrian government’s decision to authorize the organization’s return to Damascus and broaden its humanitarian and logistical activities across the country.
Libya remains one of the main departure and transit points for migrants attempting to reach Europe, and humanitarian agencies continue to call for safe, legal, and sustainable solutions for migrants stranded in the country.
