A total of 526 Bangladeshis, who fled Libya to the border areas of Tunisia, Egypt and Greece, are coming to Bangladesh Wednesday. A batch of 35 Bangladeshis will be coming by Gulf Air flight at 4:50am Wednesday, 348 Bangladeshi nationals by two flights chartered by International Organisation for Migration (IOM) at 10:00am and another batch of 143, who have been repatriated by their employer, arrive from Greece the same day. "Additional returns are expected in the coming days," stated an IOM press release.With these arrivals, the total number of reported returnees from Libya will become 629.The government has set up a reception centre at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport to receive and assist the returnees.IOM is also providing documentation and humanitarian assistance for the past one week to about 5,000-6,000 Bangladeshis, who have crossed Libyan borders to enter Egypt, Tunisia and Niger.In view of the growing number of people arriving at the temporary border shelters, IOM has begun negotiations and logistic preparations to evacuate Bangladeshis for onward journey – either by air or sea, according to the releaseMeanwhile, IOM has received formal requests from the government to provide all support to Bangladeshis, who have crossed Libyan borders. Bangladesh is among the countries with highest number of its nationals staying in Libya, apart from Egyptians. IOM has set up temporary offices and reception centres in the Egyptian border town of Saloum and in the port town of Masra Matruh, Ras Jdir in Tunisia and in the border towns of Niger. Arrivals from Libya, including Bangladeshis, were registered, provided emergency medical treatment, blankets, and food and water by IOM, the press release said. It is cold and windy particularly at the Egyptian borders, where the largest number of Bangladeshis has arrived. IOM is providing logistical arrangements, including the booking and chartering of flights.
News Source: BDNews24