Resettlement & Evacuation

Evacuation flights are organized by UNHCR with the support of the Libyan authorities and the Governments of the receiving countries, as a way to help some of the most vulnerable refugees and asylum-seekers fly out of Libya to safety.

Evacuation places are limited and are determined by third countries who are willing to accept asylum-seekers or refugees with immediate protection needs. Being held in detention does not mean you will be prioritized for these flights, although UNHCR continually calls for the release of asylum-seekers and refugees from arbitrary detention.

Those selected for evacuation will be interviewed by UNHCR staff about the circumstances that led you to leave your country of origin as well as your situation in Libya. Whether or not you will be selected for evacuation also depends on the decisions of the governments of the receiving countries who will also consider your situation.

Please note that all UNHCR services are FREE including evacuation, and no payments are involved.

The ultimate goal for UNHCR is to find long-term (or “durable”) solutions that allow refugees to rebuild their lives, in dignity and safety. These solutions could be voluntary repatriation, local integration, or resettlement.

Resettlement involves the selection and transfer of refugees from a country in which they have sought protection to another country which has agreed to admit them and, ultimately, grant them permanent residence. Resettlement is not a right and is only reserved to those with specific protection needs and who fall under one or more of UNHCR’s resettlement submission categories.

Registration with UNHCR does not mean that you have applied for or will automatically be considered for resettlement. Only a small number of refugees can be resettled – both from Libya and globally. The final decision to accept a refugee for resettlement to another country is made by the receiving country and not by UNHCR.

Once registered with UNHCR, you will be issued with a UNHCR certificate which confirms that you are under UNHCR protection. Registration is the first step for consideration for resettlement or evacuation.

Asylum-seekers and refugees cannot apply for evacuation or resettlement by themselves. Only those who are identified by UNHCR as the most vulnerable and who fall under the criteria for evacuation or resettlement are called for interview due to the limited places provided by third countries.

Only those who are identified as the most vulnerable and who fall under the criteria for evacuation or resettlement are called for an interview due to the limited places provided by third countries.

UNHCR may also have tried to contact you but was not able to reach you. It is important to ensure UNHCR is notified of any change in your contact numbers. If your number has changed, please send an SMS, WhatsApp, or Viber message to our Registration Hotline 0911633466 including your UNHCR case number, your updated phone number and contact details.

If you had an interview with UNHCR and have not yet been contacted on the result of your interview, it means your case is still under consideration. UNHCR will contact you when a decision is reached, or to seek more information, if needed.

Please be patient and ensure that UNHCR has your correct phone number.

Yes! It is very important that UNHCR has your updated contact details.

If your contact number has changed, please send a SMS, WhatsApp, or Viber message to our Registration Hotline 0911633466 including your UNHCR case number, your updated phone number and contact details.

Your contact details will be updated in our database within 7 working days. You will receive a message confirming your information is updated.