Over 42,000 Refugees, Asylum-Seekers In Libya – UNHCR
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees on Friday, August 13, disclosed that there were 42,210 registered refugees and asylum-seekers currently in Libya.
It said so far in 2021, a total of 20,799 refugees and immigrants have been rescued at sea and returned to the country, by the Libyan Coast Guard.
“The number of people returned to Libya in July 2021 has more than tripled compared to the same period last year, which may be attributed to the periodic easing of movement restrictions for COVID-19, as well as calmer sea conditions”.
The North African country has been suffering insecurity and chaos since the fall of its former leader, the late Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.
The country is a preferred point of departure for illegal migrants who want to cross the Mediterranean Sea to European shores.
However, rescued migrants end up inside overcrowded reception centers across Libya, despite repeated international calls to close those centers.
According to UNHCR, there are currently 223,949 internally displaced Libyans.
