Intro: 

Since November, the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has evacuated more than 1,000 extremely vulnerable refugees from Libya, providing them “with a new chance at life”.

These include children and women who were detained in degrading conditions for extended periods of time.

Refugees who are still in Libya - and vulnerable to the conflict-driven collapse of security, the economy and state services there - need tangible solutions, as they wait in harrowing conditions for resettlement in third countries.

UNHCR is hoping to evacuate thousands more by the end of this year and is calling on more countries to come forward with additional places. 

While acknowledging that much more needs to be done, UNHCR called the evacuations the “best example” of how international solidarity can impact refugees.

Bronwen Cowley spoke to Cécile Pouilly, UNHCR spokesperson, for the latest update in Geneva.