35 Bangladeshis evacuated from war-torn Sudan

At least 35 Bangladeshis have been evacuated from war-torn Sudan, mostly by their employers, with 34 of them taken to Saudi Arabia and the other to the UAE, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shahriar Alam said on Sunday.

During a press briefing at the foreign ministry, he said that the government has arranged for the safe return of all stranded Bangladeshi citizens from the African country through Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

According to him, out of an estimated 1,500 Bangladeshi citizens residing in Sudan, 700 have completed their registration for evacuation. 

The state minister urged others to get registered, saying the evacuation process will start on 2 May.

"People from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and other neighbouring countries have businesses in Sudan and at least 32 of the evacuees worked for the companies," said Shahriar Alam.

He said on 2 May, the Bangladeshi nationals would be transported by nine buses from Khartoum to Port Sudan, where they would board a Saudi ship bound for Jeddah. Then, the evacuees will be brought back home on several flights of the Biman Bangladesh Airlines.

The Bangladesh embassy in Khartoum has already arranged nine buses and a team from Bangladesh's consulate general in Jeddah will be at Port Sudan to assist them.

The Bangladeshi nationals are likely to reach Jeddah by 3 May or 4 May.   

On May 2, buses will leave Khartoum with registered Bangladeshis at 5am.

Md Anisur Rahman, president of the Sudan-Bangladesh Friendship Association, told journalist on Sunday that it will be difficult for many women and children to reach the place where buses will be kept in the open sky. 

He said the Bangladesh community has urged the authorities to park the buses at a more convenient place. 

"It will be difficult to reach there because there is no transport facility after 7pm," he added.   

Shahriar Alam said, "We are aware of this situation, and we understand that it can change rapidly. What we deem safe today may become risky the following day. Therefore, we will arrange for the evacuees to be transported from a secure location by buses."

When asked why Bangladesh is lagging behind in evacuating its nationals compared to other countries, he responded, "It appears that we have not been late in our response. We have taken action at the earliest opportunity."

Asked about the Bangladeshis facing a shortage of food and water in Khartoum, the minister stated, "Since it is not feasible to reach out to everyone personally, we have advised them to bring enough food for themselves until they board the buses. However, once they are on the buses, it is our responsibility to ensure their well-being."

The state minister added that the evacuees would be given essential food supplies and some cash upon their arrival in Port Sudan, so that they do not encounter any difficulties until they reach Jeddah.

Among the 700 registered Bangladeshis, there are reportedly women and children.

Before the briefing, Shahriar Alam had a coordination meeting at the ministry with the relevant senior officials. 

Representatives from the expatriate welfare and oversees employment, and home ministries were also present at the meeting. 

The minister stated that they had discussed providing the evacuees with various facilities offered by the expatriate welfare ministry so that they can engage in work upon their return to the country.

Representatives from the expatriate welfare and foreign employment and home ministries were also present in the meeting. The minister said that the meeting also discussed about providing the evacuees with various facilities available by the expatriate welfare ministry so that they can engage themselves in some work after coming back to the country.