ADDIS ABABA – The government has repatriated about 134,929 Ethiopians who have been in difficult situations in Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Sudan and Oman, the Ministry of Women and Social Affairs (MoWSA) disclosed.
Illegal Human Trafficking Prevention and Returnees Follow up and Support Chief Executive Officer Dereje Tegyibelu told the Ethiopian Press Agency (EPA) that as part of its effort to repatriate Ethiopian citizens who are living in hostile conditions, the government has repatriated about 134,929 citizens till 19 August 2024.
He further remarked that chains of activities have been undertaken to identify the profiles of vulnerable citizens, migrants via embassies and missions and returned in various countries in accordance with the set schedule.
Accordingly, he stated that out of the total 81,932 citizens that returned from Saudi, about 7,903 citizens have been repatriated from October to April. Likewise, over 74,029 Ethiopian citizens are also returned from April to 13 August.
While returning about 47,746 citizens due to the ongoing conflict in Sudan, he said that 2,925 citizens have been in hard situations in Yemen.
Out of the total 134,929 repatriates of citizens across the aforementioned countries 2023/24, he indicated that some 2,326 returnees were from Oman where most Ethiopian living.
So far, psychotherapy has been given to the returnees and other repatriates, he added.
According to him, apart from providing rehabilitation interventions to those who have encountered psychological and physical problems, transporting mechanisms are also facilitated to those returnees to their respective areas from their temporary settlement.
He has also expressed commitments to facilitate domestic and overseas jobs for interested and matured citizens in accordance with the legal requirements.
BY ASHENAFI ANIMUT
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SUNDAY EDITION 25 AUGUST 2024
