Bangladesh embassy in war-torn Lebanon has asked all stranded expatriate Bangladeshis, who wish to return home following escalation of violence in the region to register their names.
On the other hand, the Bangladesh government has taken an initiative to ensure safe return of Bangladeshis, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA).
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment are working together for the return of Bangladeshis trapped in Lebanon.
The government is working closely with all concerned to bring back all the Bangladeshis who wish to return from Lebanon safely, said the MoFA.
An inter-ministerial meeting has already been held with the participation of Foreign Secretary Md Jashim Uddin, Expatriates’ Welfare Secretary Md Ruhul Amin and Managing Director & CEO of Biman Bangladesh Airlines Limited Dr. Md. Shafiqur Rahman.
Bangladesh Mission Heads assigned to the Middle East joined the meeting on the Zoom platform.
The Foreign Secretary has issued necessary instructions to the Bangladeshi ambassador inLebanon to take necessary measures for the safe return of Bangladeshis.
He also gave necessary instructions to ensure the safety of all the expatriate Bangladeshis staying there who do not want to come to the country.
Already, a notification has been issued to enroll Bangladeshis who wish to return from the embassy and initially about a thousand migrant workers are said to be willing to return home.
A preliminary reports revealed that approximately 1,000 migrant workers are eager to return home. The Foreign Affairs and Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment ministries are coordinating efforts to facilitate their safe return.
As part of the response, Foreign Secretary Md Jashim Uddin has instructed Bangladesh’s ambassador to Lebanon to ensure the safe return of the Bangladeshi nationals. Additionally, measures are being taken to safeguard the welfare of those, who opt to stay in Lebanon, said the release.
On Tuesday, Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain said that Dhaka had requested the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to arrange chartered flights to evacuate Bangladeshi expatriates stranded in Lebanon.
“The challenge is that Beirut's airport is currently unsafe for flight operations. We have suggested finding an alternative location outside the war-zone for the evacuation of Bangladeshi nationals,” Touhid told the media.
The violence in Lebanon intensified on September 23 when Israel launched its largest air strike in years targeting southern Lebanon. According to international media, over 1,300 targets have been hit, mostly in the southern region, marking the heaviest bombardment in recent times.
The conflict has claimed more than 2,080 lives and left nearly 9,870 wounded since Israel began its airstrikes last month.
Over 100,000 people have fled Lebanon for neighboring Syria following escalation of violence in the region.
