4.16. Resettlement and humanitarian admissions
On-going COVID-19 measures during 2021 prompted national administrations to use digital tools in order to continue with their activities in the field of resettlement, including remote selection interviews and pre-departure and cultural orientation programmes. With severely scaled down resettlement operations in 2020, most countries were not able to fulfil their pledges for the year, resulting in a carry-over to 2021.
Developments in Afghanistan triggered rapid evacuations, which in some cases were implemented through resettlement programmes. Multiple national initiatives were also undertaken to receive Afghan nationals through humanitarian admission schemes.
To provide alternative safe and legal pathways to protection, some EU+ countries continued developing their existing community sponsorship programmes and offering complementary education pathways.