UN refugee agency expands Libya’s Syria return programme
A total of 829 Syrian refugees have voluntarily returned from Libya to Syria since November 2025 under a repatriation programme organised by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), as reported by Libya Review on July 17th.
According to statements from the UNHCR Libya to Migrant News, the most recent return flight departed from Tripoli to Damascus on June 6th, carrying 52 Syrian nationals. Anne-Marie Kerrigan Deriche, Senior External Relations Adviser at UNHCR, said the latest operation helped increase the number of Syrians who have voluntarily returned during 2026 to 390. Since the start of the programme in November 2025 829 Syrians have returned home from Libya. UNHCR emphasized that all returns are made based on the free, informed and voluntary decisions of individuals who feel conditions for safe returns in their home country have been met.
The agency added that its voluntary return programme is not designed to collect information about previous migration routes or attempts to reach Europe from refugees. Instead its target is to ensure that each participant of the programme understands the implications of their returns prior to travel. UNHCR added that the interest in voluntary return remains prevalent among Syrian refugees who are living in Libya. In a survey conducted in mid 2025, roughly 1,300 Syrian refugees expressed a desire to return to Syria. Since the survey, the agency has continued to receive requests towards Syrian returns through several channels including applications from refugees.
Despite the increase in demand, UNHCR said the programme is continuing to face operational challenges that stand in the way of departures. The challenges include the lack of valid documents for travel and limited access to consular services that are required for the necessary procedures.
Libya stands as both a transit and host country for thousands of refugees and migrants from many countries. International organisations continue to work in coordination with Libyan authorities and humanitarian partners to provide assistance, protection, and lasting solutions, including the voluntary repatriation for those seeking to return to their countries of origin.
Libya Review, Maghrebi.org.
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