Libyan Coast Guard rescued 11,265 illegal migrants in 2020: UNHCR
Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - A total of 11,265 illegal migrants were brought back to Libya by the Libyan Coast Guard under the Government of National Accord (GNA) in 113 operations to rescue or intercept illegal immigrants in the Mediterranean Sea during 2020, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said on Thursday.
In a statement, UNHCR announced the number composed of 83% men, 8% women and 9% children.
Their main nationalities are Sudanese (23%), Malians (12%) and Bangladeshi (11%).
The UN refugee agency also noted a 25% increase in the number of arrivals in Libyan ports in 2020 compared to 2019.
On the other hand, 7,607 refugees and asylum seekers were registered in 2020, in addition to a total of 44,725 currently registered. Of these, 45% are men, 22% are women and 33% are children.
The three most registered nationalities are Sudanese (35%), Syrians (32%) and Eritreans (12%), the document said.
It noted that persons with serious health problems accounted for 5% of refugees, while unaccompanied and separated children and families headed by unmarried women accounted for 3%.
-0- PANA BY/JSG/BBA/MA 1Jan2021
