The Ethiopian government said it has successfully repatriated a total of 130 of its nationals who were stranded in Myanmar.
The returnees had been relocated from Myanmar to Thailand through the coordinated effort of the Ethiopian embassy in India, the foreign affairs ministry said a statement seen by APA on Tuesday.
“A total of 130 citizens who were stranded in Myanmar have been repatriated in two rounds via Thailand thus far,” the ministry said, noting that there are several Ethiopian migrants who are still stranded in Myanmar.
In a related development, the ministry stated that the Ethiopian government, in collaboration with its embassy in Japan, is working to transfer hundreds of its nationals currently stranded in Myanmar to Thailand before arranging their eventual return home.
The ministry also urged the public to remain vigilant against human traffickers who lure individuals with false promises of employment in countries where legal work agreements are not upheld.
It is estimated that thousands of Ethiopians are trafficked to Myanmar as well as various other countries annually, where they are mainly engaged in the informal economy.
The Ethiopian government said it is currently working to dismantle sophisticated human trafficking networks, and create economic opportunities at home for its nationals earning low incomes.
The ministry stated that the repatriation is testament to the Ethiopian government that it pursues citizen-oriented diplomacy.
MG/as/APA