7.2. Challenges in the area of resettlement

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icon for resumption of resettlement programmes
In addition to facing additional operational challenges stemming from Pact implementation, Member States were impacted by other realities hindering the resettlement of more refugees. For example, the volatile security and political situation in the Middle East, particularly in the Gaza Strip, Lebanon and Syria, persisted and posed challenges at the operational level. In addition, in some countries, such as Ethiopia, Lebanon and Pakistan, difficulties to obtain exit permits and high permits fees continued to block the transfer of selected refugees.
 

In the national context, the persistent strain on some reception systems and their limited capacity challenged effectively implementing resettlements.

Additional challenges during the year included the identification of eligible refugees with sufficient knowledge of the national language and the procedure for the recognition of professional qualifications of refugees when a programme targeted specific profiles of applicants.

With the adoption of the Pact’s new regulation governing resettlement and humanitarian admission, some additional challenges came to light in 2025. For instance, questions arose about the storage and transfer of data, for example fingerprints taken in countries of first asylum, and adapting processes and other requirements to be in line with the Eurodac Regulation.349