The lack of stability and the continuing violence led to the dramatic flight of some 140'000 citizens of third countries from Libya in the spring of 2011. Many of them ended up stranded in the bordering regions of Tunisia, Egypt, Algeria, Chad, and Niger, with no assistance on the part of their countries of origin to facilitate their return home. Switzerland, represented by the Federal Office for Migration (FOM) and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), supported the International Organization for Migration (IOM) with financial contributions and by seconding a humanitarian expert with the aim of bringing the stranded persons back to their home countries as rapidly as possible.

Project description, goals
In March 2011, some 140'000 persons fled Libya in the space of but a few days. This led to extremely precarious humanitarian situations, particularly in the border areas of Egypt and Tunisia. Tens of thousands of individuals – for the majority, citizens of African and Asian countries who were either legally or illegally working or residing in Libya – were forced to find shelter and be taken care of in makeshift tent camps.

While some of the countries of origin organized the return trip home for their citizens in a pro-active manner, other refugees were left stranded, without support from the international community and given over to an uncertain fate in the countries bordering on Libya.

Switzerland supported the International Organization for Migration (IOM) with a financial contribution along with the deployment of a humanitarian expert.

In addition, representatives of Swiss humanitarian aid were present near the Libyan border in Egypt and Tunisia on a daily basis in order to coordinate emergency relief.

Results as seen from the angle of the beneficiaries
As a result of the direct support and the funds contributed by Switzerland, some 3'600 persons were able to return to their home countries within a few days. For some 20% of the persons stranded, travel documents and identity papers had to be procured so they could travel on. In the refugee camps near the border, a vital minimum was ensured thanks to the emergency relief provided, i.e., water, food, medical care, and shelter.

William L. Swing, Director-General of the IOM, had this to say in praise of the commitment manifested by the donor countries: «Thanks to the generous donations of our partner countries, the IOM together with its partners was successful in implementing life-saving measures to evacuate some 140'700 migrants, and in providing humanitarian-aid support to thousands of other refugees during the crisis in Libya.»

Joint Action by the FOM and the SDC
Thanks to the coordinated and joint support of the FOM and the SDC, migrants who had fled Libya were able to live in acceptable conditions while waiting for a rapid return to their countries of origin. Without the international support, many of these persons would have been stranded in inhumane conditions in Libya’s neighbouring countries, or would have attempted to flee further on to Europe. It was the excellent cooperation between the FOM and the SDC that made it possible to immediately provide this vital assistance to the IOM.

The project in brief

Federal bodies involved
Federal Office for Migration (FOM)
Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC)

Subject
Return of the migrants who had fled Libya back to their countries of origin

Partners
International Organization for Migration IOM  

Current situation/
Background information
Some 140'000 persons fled Libya following the 2011 crisis, seeking refuge in the neighbouring countries and running the risk of being stranded there indefinitely.

Project goals
Return of the stranded migrants to their home countries, including the procurement of identity papers and travel documents, as well as emergency relief on the spot.

Target groups
Migrants who had fled Libya

Costs
FOM: CHF 500'000
SDC: CHF 1'020'000

Duration
March 2011

Contact
info@bfm.admin.ch
hh@deza.admin.ch