A total of 105 Bangladeshis who were stranded in conflict-hit Lebanon returned to Bangladesh on Thursday night, by support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment, the Bangladesh mission in Beirut, and the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
The group arrived on Emirates Airlines flight EK-584, which was funded by the Bangladesh government, landing at 11 pm on December 5.
This repatriation brings the total number of Bangladeshis safely returned from Lebanon to 963, with nine flights so far.
Upon arrival, the returnees were welcomed by officials from the ministries of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates' Welfare, along with IOM representatives. Each returnee received Taka 5,000, food supplies, and basic medical assistance from the IOM.
The officials also spoke with the returnees to learn about their experiences in Lebanon during the ongoing conflict. Sadly, one Bangladeshi expatriate was killed in a bombing incident in Lebanon.
The government has reiterated its commitment to covering the repatriation costs for all Bangladeshis who wish to return home due to the ongoing violence. The Bangladesh Embassy in Beirut continues to work on ensuring the safety of those who decide to stay.
BDST: 1758 HRS, DEC 06, 2024
MSK