Over 70 evacuated from Lebanon amid rising conflict
Diplomatic Correspondent :
Seventy more Bangladeshi nationals evacuated from war-torn Lebanon arrived in Dhaka on Monday aboard an Emirates Airlines flight, bringing the total number of repatriated individuals to 338 across seven flights.
This mass return highlights the escalating security crisis in Lebanon and its implications for Bangladeshi workers abroad.
Officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Expatriate Welfare and Overseas Employment, and the International Organisation for Migration were present at Shahjalal International Airport to welcome the returnees.
Each individual received financial assistance of Tk 5,000, along with food provisions and medical care to support their reintegration.
Mostafa Jamil Khan, a senior official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, engaged with the returnees to understand their experiences during the crisis, expressing solidarity and concern for their well-being.
During these evacuations, a 31-year-old Bangladeshi youth, Mohammad Nijam Uddin, was tragically killed by an Israeli airstrike while on his way to work at a coffee shop in Beirut’s Hazmieh area.
However, due to the lack of available flights amidst the escalating situation, his body cannot currently be repatriated.
This tragic incident has intensified fears among those still residing in Lebanon.
The returnees are part of a larger group of approximately 1,800 Bangladeshi workers who have expressed a desire to return home due to the deteriorating security conditions.
The ongoing conflict in Lebanon has spurred urgent discussions within the Bangladeshi government concerning the safety of its overseas workers.
Many Bangladeshi nationals seek employment in Lebanon and other Middle Eastern countries, where they often face precarious living conditions and risks of exploitation.
The return of these workers raises critical questions about the future of Bangladeshi labour migration, the government’s responsibility in ensuring its citizens’ safety abroad, and the potential economic impact on families who rely on remittances.
With the situation in Lebanon remaining volatile, there is a strong call for the Bangladeshi government to reassess its diplomatic and labour policies to protect its citizens, while also providing sufficient support for those returning home.
The returnees’ experiences underscore the human cost of geopolitical conflicts and the need for effective mechanisms to safeguard the rights and welfare of migrant workers.
The ongoing evacuation efforts underscore the importance of international cooperation in addressing humanitarian crises and ensuring the safety of vulnerable populations.
As Bangladesh navigates this challenging landscape, the well-being of its citizens abroad remains a top priority.
Currently, the interim government of Bangladesh is bearing the full cost of repatriating each Bangladeshi from Lebanon.