National Committee of Ethiopia announced plan to initiate a major repatriation effort that aims to bring back over 100, 000 of Ethiopians from Saudi Arabia.
The Committee, established by the government to repatriate and rehabilitate Ethiopian citizens from Saudi Arabia, tabled a preparation plan during a consultative meeting attended by senior government officials on Friday.
According to the document, preparations have been made to repatriate more than 100 thousand Ethiopians from Saudi Arabia in the upcoming weeks.
State Minister of Foreign affairs, Ambassador Birtukan Ayano said besides reuniting returnees with their families, the government in partnership with partners would reinstate and rehabilitate the returnees in a sustainable manner.
Ministry of Foreign affairs estimates the number of Ethiopians residing in Saudi Arabia to be 750,000.
About 450,000 of them are suspected of living there without proper legal documents.
Speaking at the meeting, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonnen said protecting the safety of Ethiopians living abroad is one of the priorities of the government.
He also recalled the recent discussions of Ethiopia’s delegation and officials of Saudi Arabia on easing situations to Ethiopians residing in the country and repatriating those suffering in various detention centers.
The National Committee is composed of 16 government institutions, including the National Disaster Risk Management Commission, Women and Social Affairs Ministry, Labor and Skills Ministry, and Health Ministry, among others.
MG/abj/APA