The International Organization for Migration (IOM) announced that 165 migrants were safely returned to their home country last week through a Voluntary Humanitarian Return (VHR) flight departing from Tripoli to Lagos.
According to IOM, the return operation was conducted with medical and operational escorts on board, ensuring that the journey was carried out in a safe, humane, and dignified manner for all beneficiaries.
The migrants were assisted under IOM’s Voluntary Humanitarian Return program, which provides migrants stranded in Libya with the opportunity to return to their countries of origin safely while receiving logistical and humanitarian support throughout the process.
Officials confirmed that the return flight forms part of ongoing international efforts to support vulnerable migrants in Libya and facilitate voluntary and safe repatriation for those who choose to return home.
IOM also expressed its appreciation for the support provided by the European Union Delegation to Libya, whose assistance contributed to the implementation of the humanitarian operation.
Libya remains a major transit country for migrants seeking to reach Europe through the central Mediterranean route. In recent years, international organizations have increased efforts to assist migrants stranded in the country through programs offering voluntary return, protection services, and humanitarian assistance.
Through cooperation between international partners and Libyan authorities, such return operations aim to ensure that migrants are able to travel home safely while respecting humanitarian standards and international protection principles.
