Ahmad 
The International Organization for Migration announced that the Voluntary Humanitarian Return Program has helped return 80,000 irregular migrants from Libya to their countries of origin since 2015.
According to the statement published by the organization on its “Facebook” page, these migrants returned to 49 different countries in Africa and Asia.
The statement noted that the Humanitarian Voluntary Return Program constitutes a “humanitarian lifeline” for migrants stranded in Libya, where they can return to their homes and rebuild their lives in dignity.
Among the program’s beneficiaries are 2,733 victims of human trafficking, 843 unaccompanied or separated children, and 5,144 migrants with medical needs.
The assistance provided to returning migrants after their arrival in their countries of origin includes comprehensive support for reintegration, including individual assistance and economic, social and psychological support, according to the statement.
Tawhid Pasha, Acting Head of the Organization’s Mission in Libya, stressed the importance of enabling migrants to make informed decisions and ensuring their right to return to their homes.
The organization said that Libya is a transit country and a major destination for migrants coming from all over Africa, expressing its regret that many migrants face severe difficulties and find themselves stranded in Libya with limited options to return to their homes if they want to.
Although thousands of migrants have been returned to their countries, there are more than 700,000 irregular migrants still settled in Libya, with many of them preferring to try to reach Europe via the Mediterranean.
It is noteworthy that the Voluntary Humanitarian Return Program in Libya is funded by the European Union and the governments of Italy and Switzerland, allowing the provision of life-saving, safe and rapid assistance to vulnerable migrants in Libya.
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