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Arrangements are underway by the Federal Government to facilitate the evacuation of Nigerians living in Lebanon who are eager to return home due to the crisis unfolding in the country.
The government stated that it organized a meeting involving multiple stakeholders, where reports were presented regarding the status of Nigerians in Lebanon and the readiness of various agencies for a successful evacuation effort.
The National Emergency Management Agency shared this information in a statement published on Friday.
In September 2024, large-scale cross-border violence intensified in Lebanon, leading to more than 1,000 deaths and 6,352 injuries in less than two weeks, as reported by the International Organisation for Migration.
The total number of deaths since October 2023 has now surpassed 1,800, with injuries exceeding 9,100, as stated by the IOM.
Read also: FG To Begin Evacuation Of Nigerians From Lebanon – NEMA
As of September 30, 2024, IOM’s Displacement Tracking Matrix had identified 346,209 internally displaced persons, including over 31,000 families (137,000 individuals) living in 820 collective shelters. Additionally, more than 175,000 Lebanese and Syrians had fled to Syria.
NEMA, in a statement, said it was coordinating the evacuation, which had started with mobilisation of the citizens and would be followed immediately with all necessary requirements to bring them home.
“The leader of the Nigerian community, during a telephone conversation, acknowledged the support by the Nigerian Mission in Lebanon especially on their safe movement out of high risk areas, adding that no Nigerian life had been lost so far.
“Because of the planned voluntary evacuation, those Nigerians willing to be evacuated back home are advised to report to Embassy in Beirut where they will be profiled for the airlift,” it stated.
