The United Nations said Thursday it was resuming resettlement travel for refugees, which was suspended in March due to the coronavirus crisis, delaying departures for some 10,000 refugees. The UN agencies for refugees and for migration jointly announced “the resumption of resettlement departures” by people already living as refugees who have been approved to move to third countries.

“Resettlement remains a life-saving tool for many refugees and we look forward to working with our partners in host and resettlement countries to resume movements in a safe manner,” UNHCR and IOM said in a statement. The agencies announced on March 17 the temporary suspension of resettlement as dramatic restrictions around international air travel complicated departures and raised the risk of travellers becoming stranded along the way.

This, they said Thursday, had “delayed the departures of some 10,000 refugees to resettlement countries”.

Throughout the period, the UN agencies said they and their partners had continued to resettle dozens of refugees stuck in emergency situations. Read more via AFP