Lankans trapped in Yemen evacuated

by Manjula Fernando

Thirty nine Sri Lankans trapped in Yemen will reach Bahrain today in an evacuation operation assisted by the Chinese Government.

A spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry told Sunday Observer the men were principally from Sanaa, the capital of Yemen where intense fighting between Houthi rebels and troops loyal to ousted Yemeni President, Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi is taking place.

He said the reports indicated 89 as the number of Sri Lankans trapped in Yemen violence but claimed the figure could increase. So far there have been no reports of any Sri Lankans getting hurt in Sanaa or other main cities Hodeida, Aden and Mukalla where the fighting is reported.

BBC reported over the past two weeks, fighting in Yemen has left more than 500 people dead and some 1,700 wounded, quoting UN humanitarian chief Valerie Amos. Lankans are among hundreds of other nationals rescued by the Chinese Navy. Earlier three Sri Lankans crossed over to Dijibouti by boat and five from Yemen city of Mukalla to Oman and are now awaiting intervention to come back to Sri Lanka. In addition to the IOM, the Ministry has sought Indian and Chinese assistance to carry out evacuations, to which both countries have responded positively.

The 39 Sri Lankans will be provided accommodation and food by the Bahrain Government until air passage is arranged for them to return home, the spokesperson said. The Foreign Affairs Ministry informs the next of kin of the Sri Lankans in Yemen to provide the contact details of their relatives by e-mail or telephone, to MFA, Consular Division - 0115839414 / 0112323015 [email protected] / [email protected]

The relatives in Yemen can provide information to the Sri Lanka Embassy in Muscat, - Charge d' Affaires/Oman 0096 895863739/ 0096 899898836, [email protected])