FG begins evacuation of Nigerians in Lebanon

The Federal Government has commenced arrangements for the evacuation of Nigerians living in Lebanon who are willing to return home following the crisis in the country.

The federal government said it convened a multi-stakeholder meeting where briefs were received on the condition of Nigerians in Lebanon and preparations by various agencies towards the success of the evacuation exercise.

This was disclosed in a statement issued by the National Emergency Management Agency on Friday.

In September 2024, large-scale cross-border attacks escalated in Lebanon, causing over 1,000 deaths and 6,352 injuries in less than two weeks, according to the International Organisation for Migration.

IOM said this brings the total to more than 1,800 killed and 9,100 injured since October 2023.

As of September 30, 2024, IOM’s Displacement Tracking Matrix had identified 346,209 internally displaced persons, including over 31,000 families (137,000 individuals) living in 820 collective shelters. Additionally, more than 175,000 Lebanese and Syrians have fled to Syria.

NEMA in a statement said it is coordinating the evacuation, which has started with mobilisation of the citizens and would be followed immediately with all requirements to bring them home.

“The leader of the Nigerian community, through a telephone conversation acknowledged the support by the Nigerian Mission in Lebanon especially in their safe movement out of high-risk areas, adding that no Nigerian life has been lost so far.

“In view of the planned voluntary evacuation, those Nigerians willing to be evacuated back home are advised to report to the Embassy in Beirut where they will be profiled for the airlift,” it stated.