Minister of Foreign Affairs
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad wishes to update the public on the latest information from our Mission in Brussels, on the situation of Gambians in Ukraine.
New information available to the Ministry indicates that Thirty-Two (32) Gambians have been successfully evacuated from the conflict in Ukraine. Twenty-two (22) are in Poland, Eight (8) in Slovakia, 1 in Romania with his Ukrainian wife and child and 1 in Budapest, Hungary.
The Government of the Gambia through the Mission in Brussels has arranged for hotel lodgings in all the above listed countries for the evacuated Gambians and provided them with a means of subsistence. This offer has been accepted by the Gambians except a few who prefer to make private arrangements. This offer of assistance will nonetheless be placed at their disposal whenever requested.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs further wishes to inform families of the evacuated Gambians and the public that the Government will facilitate the return of the evacuated Gambians back home. This information has been communicated to all concerned. However, the decision to return to The Gambia or make alternative arrangements is an individual prerogative, which shall be respected by the Embassy and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This offer shall only be provided to those who request for it.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, wishes to assure the public that the operation to effectively evacuate the rest of our citizens in Ukraine is still ongoing and the Embassy officials on the ground in the Polish Ukrainian border as well as in Brussels continue to communicate, guide and facilitate the movement and safe passage of Gambian citizens in Ukraine. This process will continue until the last known Gambian is evacuated.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been informed of the valuable assistance received from the Governments of the Republic of Poland, the Republic of Slovakia, the Kingdom of Morocco, and the Federal Republic of Nigeria through their diplomatic representations in Brussels, Poland and Ukraine. On behalf of the Government of the Republic of The Gambia, the Ministry extends its utmost gratitude to these brotherly countries for the assistance rendered to the Team in Brussels.
Source: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs