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BSS-14
MIGRANT-LIBYA-RETURN
IOM facilitates return of Bangladeshi Libya attack survivors
DHAKA, Sept Oct 3, 2020 (BSS) – International Organization for Migration (IOM) has facilitated return of 164 Bangladeshi migrants including Libya attack survivors here on a voluntary humanitarian flight from Libya last week.
On board the chartered flight that landed at Hazrat Shajalal International Airport (HSIA) were nine survivors of the tragic Mizdah incident in Libya, in which 30 migrants, including 26 from Bangladesh, were shot and killed in a smuggling warehouse, in May, a press release said here.
The deadly attack in Mizdah, near the city of Gharyan, southwest of Tripoli also left 11 other migrants critically injured and IOM and partners have supported the survivors in the subsequent months.
On the flight were over 100 other vulnerable migrants, including 39 with medical conditions while
IOM medical escorts travelled with them.
Upon arrival, the IOM medical team was on site to coordinate health care for migrants who are now quarantine at government facilities, provide referral support to specialized services, and provide follow-up support to migrants with chronic conditions.
Eligible migrants will receive reintegration support once they have completed their government-mandated quarantine period, said the release added that follow-up care is particularly important for migrants that experienced physical and psychological trauma while stranded in Libya.
“COVID-19 has exacerbated the vulnerabilities of migrant workers across the world. We are working to overcome movement and other restrictions to access vulnerable migrants who are stranded and in need of support,” said Giorgi Gigauri, IOM Bangladesh’s Chief of Mission.
The IOM is working closely with the Bangladesh government to ensure migrants’ access to health services, shelter, food and consular services, he added.
Apart from on-arrival assistance to migrants, IOM also provides tele-counselling, health referrals and follow-ups, skills diversification and financial literacy training, and reintegration support to the most vulnerable returning migrants, said the release.
BSS/TA/MMA/1530HRS