41 More Sierra Leoneans Repatriated from Lebanon

By Foday Moriba Conteh

In a major humanitarian effort, the International Organization for Migration (IOM), in collaboration with the Sierra Leone Consulate in Lebanon, successfully repatriated 41 Sierra Leonean migrant workers from Lebanon on Sunday, December 1, 2024. The group departed from Beirut’s Hariri International Airport and landed safely at the Freetown International Airport (FNA).

This marks the third wave of repatriations of Sierra Leonean nationals from Lebanon since the onset of hostilities following the Israeli invasion of Lebanon on October 1, 2024.

The Minister of Labour and Social Security, Mohamed Rahman Swarray, played a pivotal role in this operation. During an official visit to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in October, he made a direct appeal to the IOM’s Global Director General, urging swift action to assist stranded Sierra Leoneans in Lebanon.

The Sierra Leone Consulate in Lebanon, supported by the Sierra Leone Community Committee, worked tirelessly alongside the IOM to ensure the smooth repatriation of affected individuals.

Since the commencement of the repatriation initiative on November 5, 2024, over 200 Sierra Leonean migrant workers have been safely returned home. This latest batch represents continued progress in addressing the plight of nationals stranded due to the ongoing crisis.

The repatriated individuals expressed heartfelt gratitude to the IOM, Minister Mohamed Rahman Swarray, the Sierra Leone Consulate in Lebanon and the Sierra Leone Community Committee for their collective efforts. They also paid tribute to the late Sierra Leonean Consul in Lebanon, Pa Hashim Hussein Hashim, whose legacy of service continues to inspire these humanitarian endeavors.

This repatriation underscores Sierra Leone’s commitment to protecting its citizens abroad and ensuring their safe return amidst challenging circumstances.

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The Calabash Newspaper The Calabash Newspaper
The Calabash Newspaper Established in 2017, The Calabash Newspaper serves as a trusted platform for news and general information dissemination, catering to a broad Sierra Leonean audience both at home and abroad through its active presence on social media. The publication is committed to engaging its diverse readership by reporting on topical news events in Sierra Leone, enriched with editorials and insightful commentaries on pressing issues of the day. In addition to local news, The Calabash Newspaper expands its scope to include topics of continental interest, drawing from various international publications that address political, economic, and social developments across Africa.
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