Man`s history is full of well documented information about the movement of humankind from one place to the other. Movement of people is not limited only to economically poor nations. It is also common to those economically strong ones.
In most cases, even if citizens from developing countries are victims of political and economic migration; those citizens from economically strong nations are also compelled to flee their homeland for political reasons. As we are witnessing currently, due to the Russian-Ukraine war, thousands of people are migrating to neighboring countries. This is a good indication that no one is free from migration.
Home is where the heart is. No matter how comfortable life a person leads abroad or, no matter how a given hosting nation is developed or civilized, there is nothing like the motherland.
Several reasons can push people from their country to foreign lands. Due to economic reasons, several Ethiopians have been forced to migrate to the Middle East countries. However, for known and unknown reasons, several of them had been forced to live in harsh conditions and lead a miserable life in Saudi Arabia.
Understanding the situation, the government of Ethiopia has been facilitating the ground for the safe return of its citizens. As part of this effort, the first batch of returnees came back home last Wednesday. High-level government officials welcomed the returnees at Bole International Airport.
It has been almost a month since the government of Ethiopia ensured its people to repatriate those Ethiopians who had been suffering in Saudi Arabia. Despite all the economic challenges at home, the government has been working aggressively to bring back those migrants from the hostile situation in Saudi Arabia. As part of this plan, a national Committee that facilitates the safe arrival of the repatriates was organized.
As it was promised by the government, a National Committee headed by Demeke Mekonin, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister had been working hand and glove with the concerned bodies.
Keeping its promises, the committee has received the first batch of returnees from Saudi Arabia.
On the occasion, high officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs including State Minister Birtukan Ayana, Women and Social Affairs Minister, Dr. Ergoge Tesfaye and Spokesperson of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Dina Mufti have welcomed the returnees. Out of the total 498 first batch returnees, 157 are children; and the rest 341 are women.
Women and Social Affairs Minister, Dr. Ergoge Tesfaye indicated that using all possibilities, the government has prepared temporary accommodations for returnees. What is more, the Ministry has also prepared itself to rehabilitate the returnees. It is also planned to return about hundred thousand Ethiopians back home in the coming few months.
Starting from the time Ethiopians have learnt that the migrants in Saudi Arabia were found under hostile conditions, every Ethiopian had been protesting against the harsh treatment. For that reason, the government has taken all the necessary measures to help those migrants.
Mehbia Jemal, is one of those Ethiopians who had been living in the harshest condition in Saudi Arabia. According to her, the last six months were too paining for her. Living in jail with undesirable condition, let alone for women who are pregnant, it is also difficult for strong young men. The prison conditions in Saudi Arabia are very difficult to human kind. Those officials in the prison do not consider us as if we are human kind. According to her, the effort which is being exerted by the government has given relief for the rest of prisoners suffering in Saudi jail.
Minister Ergoge noted that, using all available means, the government will work aggressively for the safe return of refugees and provide them alternative means of livelihood at home.
Ambassador Birtukan on her part said that there are other Ethiopian refugees who are looking for our help. Based on their priority and needs. we will keep on repatriating them.
On his part, Spokesperson of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Dina Mufti said that within the coming months the government will work aggressively to bring back additional citizens home safely.
It is obvious that the government has the lion`s share in bringing back Ethiopians from Saudi Arabia. However, as the magnitude of the challenge calls for the active involvement of all stakeholders at all levels including the general public, we should exert utmost effort and provide all the necessary help to the returnees to fill the gap of the government.
Every contribution from every citizen has a key role in supporting the returnees. Supporting the returnee in the form of finance or material help minimize government`s burden in the area.
In fact, helping each other is not something new to Ethiopians. Be it in times of peace or crisis Ethiopians have an ample experience of sharing what they have. In this regard, while the government is doing its level best in bringing the returnee, the majority should also play their role by all means. As it is witnessed from the first batch of returnees, most of them are women and children. Which means it is not only the Ministry of Women and Social Affairs that will have a sole responsibility in rehabilitating the returnees. It is also the duty of every Ethiopian as the old adage goes “The burden which is well borne, becomes light.”
BY LEULSEGED WORKU
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD FRIDAY 1 APRIL 2022
