The International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Libya has helped 80,000 migrants return home voluntarily and safely since 2015 under its Voluntary Humanitarian Return (VHR) program, the Organization announced.
“VHR has been a critical lifeline for stranded migrants from 49 different countries across Africa and Asia, offering them a safe and dignified way to return home and rebuild their lives,” IOM said in a statement.
The migrants who benefited from VHR included 2,733 victims of trafficking, 843 unaccompanied or separated children and 5,144 migrants with medical needs, the statement pointed out.
On the other hand, statistics from Italy’s interior ministry reveal over 20,000 irregular migrants have arrived on Italian shores since January, a 58.44% decline compared to the same period last year when 48,778 migrants made the perilous Mediterranean crossing.
