Rwanda in partnership with the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR), has welcomed 177 asylum seekers evacuated from Libya, marking the 24th group received by the country since the humanitarian evacuation mechanism was established in September 2019.

The latest group comprises nationals from Sudan (68), Eritrea (66), Ethiopia (15), South Sudan (26) and Somalia (2). Upon arrival in Rwanda, they were transferred to the Gashora Emergency Transit Centre, where they will receive temporary accommodation and assistance alongside other refugees and asylum seekers who arrived through previous evacuations.

Rwanda agreed to temporarily host refugees and asylum seekers evacuated from Libya as they undergo processing for relocation to third countries, where they can access longer-term protection and pursue durable solutions.

The Gashora Emergency Transit Mechanism Centre was established through a tripartite agreement between the Government of Rwanda, the African Union (AU) and UNHCR. The Centre provides a safe and secure environment for vulnerable refugees and asylum seekers while their cases are processed for resettlement or other durable solutions.

Since September 2019, Rwanda has received more than 3,000 refugees and asylum seekers from Libya under the humanitarian evacuation mechanism. To date, 2,681 people have been successfully resettled in third countries, including Canada (927), France (332), the United States (325), Sweden (297), Finland (271), Norway (229), Germany (132), the Netherlands (94) and Belgium (72).

The resettlement of thousands of refugees and asylum seekers demonstrates the importance of international cooperation and responsibility-sharing in addressing forced displacement and ensuring protection for people in vulnerable situations.

Through its partnership with UNHCR and other international and regional partners, Rwanda continues to provide temporary protection and humanitarian assistance to people evacuated from Libya while supporting efforts to secure durable solutions.

The arrival of the latest group reaffirms Rwanda’s commitment to providing protection to people in need and contributing to international efforts to address forced displacement through solidarity, cooperation and shared responsibility.