Gov’t Ready To Extract 150,000 Citizens From Lebanon, Urges Preparedness

Committee formed to oversee extraction in case of conflict escalation

The federal government says it is watching the ongoing confrontations between Israeli forces and Hezbollah in Lebanon and is prepared to arrange for the repatriation of around 150,000 Ethiopian citizens in the case of escalating violence.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has established an ad hoc committee in Lebanon that is charged with taking action and securing the safety and well being of the large Ethiopian diaspora community, mostly concentrated in and around Beirut, should the need arise, according to Nebiyu Tedla, Ministry spokesperson.

“We’ve been following the issue closely. As of now, there is no escalation that would force Ethiopians to leave Lebanon. People there can continue their work and lives. The Lebanese government has also not issued any emergency statements,” he said, during a press briefing on Thursday.

The Spokesperson urged Ethiopian citizens residing in Lebanon to make any necessary arrangements for their safety and property and ready themselves for the worst-case scenario.

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“Whether they are legal or illegal, they should prepare and wait. If the security issues get worse, the Ethiopian government will repatriate both its illegal and legal citizens in Lebanon. As long as they are Ethiopian, we will not discriminate if there is an emergency,” said Nebiyu.

The government is prepared to use laissez-passer (a one-time travel document) in lieu of passports for those who do not hold the proper documentation.

“The committee can take action at any time that repatriation is necessitated,” said Nebiyu.

Humanitarian agencies and watchdogs report that the conflict in Lebanon, coupled with governance and a macroeconomic crisis, is driving population displacement, disrupting agricultural livelihoods, and restricting humanitarian access to populations in need

“If the conflict expands and continues into the next months, it would result in more severe disruptions to trade, livelihoods, and humanitarian access. Rates of population displacement would increase. A greater number of households than what is currently anticipated would likely face Crisis (IPC Phase 3) outcomes. Some households could face Emergency (IPC Phase 4) outcomes during periods of time when access to food is cut off,” reads a humanitarian report.

A UNOCHA assessment published this week indicates that most of the fighting remains contained close to the Israeli border, for now.

“Lebanon continues to be impacted by the current hostilities, with daily exchanges of fire across the country’s southern border. The most intense bombardment remains concentrated in areas within 12 km of the Blue Line, while targeted Israeli airstrikes extend far into the country. Severe damage to water, electricity, and telecoms infrastructure as well as roads in southern Lebanon have been recorded, and maintenance and repair workers have been killed and injured as they attempt to maintain services for the area’s remaining residents, alongside medics and first responders,” it reads.

Close to 470 fatalities have been recorded as a result of fighting between Hezbollah and Israel since October last year, according to the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health.

“At least 3000 buildings have been damaged, with 6 health facilities closed in Bint Jbeil and Marjayoun. As of 6 August 2024, 102,523 people have been internally displaced and are seeking refuge across Lebanon, with 96.6 percent originating from Bint Jbeil, Marjaayoun, and Tyre districts,” reads the UNOCHA report.