Forty-six Bangladeshi nationals stranded in war-torn Lebanon were repatriated on Tuesday on a Qatar Airways flight (QR 640), fully funded by the government.
The flight, organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment, the Embassy of Bangladesh in Beirut, and the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), landed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) at 9:15 am, reads a press release.
So far, 1,292 Bangladeshi nationals have been brought back from Lebanon on 20 flights since the conflict began.
Officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment, and IOM welcomed the returnees at the airport. Each repatriated individual was provided with Tk 5,000 in pocket money, food supplies, and basic medical care by the IOM.
Government officials engaged with the returnees to hear their experiences of the ongoing conflict and inquire about their well-being.
Tragically, one Bangladeshi national has been reported dead due to a bombing incident during the unrest in Lebanon.
The government has reaffirmed its commitment to covering the costs of repatriation for all Bangladeshi nationals wishing to return home from Lebanon. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Bangladesh Embassy in Beirut continue their efforts to ensure the safe return of those who wish to leave, while also supporting the safety and well-being of those who choose to remain.
