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.
