Nearly 1000 Ethiopians Airlifted from Saudi Arabia

ADDIS ABABA – Close to 1000 Ethiopian nationals have returned from Saudi Arabia today as the repatriation effort continues for the second day this week.

In a statement today, the Foreign Ministry’s Spokesperson office says three planes have landed at Addis Ababa Bole international Airport, bringing a total of 988 Ethiopians back home.

At least 272 women and 18 children were among the returnees, says the ministry. The remaining 708 were men.

Ethiopia started bringing back its nationals who are living under difficult situations in Saudi Arabia on March 30, with a plan to repatriate 102, 000 of its citizens within 7 to 11 months.

To date, more than 11, 700 citizens have been airlifted from Saudi Arabia. through the repatriation push currently led by a national committee drawn from 16 government agencies.