Ethiopia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that the country has successfully facilitated the repatriation of 131,014 citizens who had been facing difficult circumstances in 21 countries. This large-scale effort, carried out during the just-concluded Ethiopian fiscal year, underscores the government’s commitment to ensuring the safety and welfare of Ethiopian nationals abroad through coordinated repatriation initiatives.
The Ministry, through its spokesperson Nebiat Getachew, confirmed the figure and scope of the repatriation at a press briefing on Thursday. The effort involved nationals who were facing “tough situations” in various foreign countries.
The government utilized both bilateral and multilateral collaborative platforms to facilitate the ongoing large-scale repatriation. The Ministry emphasized that this effort is part of the Ethiopian government’s “citizen-centered” diplomatic commitment to bringing home nationals stranded in difficult situations abroad.
The repatriation initiatives have focused on assisting vulnerable populations, many of whom are low-income individuals who migrated illegally in hopes of improved living conditions. Beyond the repatriation, Ethiopia is also focusing on preventative measures, including dismantling human trafficking networks and enhancing domestic economic opportunities.
The successful repatriation of over 131,000 individuals from 21 countries marks a significant milestone in the government’s efforts to protect the rights and dignity of Ethiopian nationals abroad and address the challenges faced by Ethiopian migrants globally.
