Eleven Moldovan nationals, eight adults and three children, arrived home today. They were welcomed at the Chisinau Airport by MFA secretary Mihai Mîțu, and Ester Ruiz de Azua, head of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Moldova.

IOM Moldova teams provided immediate medical and psychological assistance to those repatriated, in addition to information on how to access medical, psychological, and social services. The teams also distributed food and water supplies, and provided transportation to Chisinau and Hincesti.

“We are grateful to our friends and partners from Ukraine and Poland for their effective collaboration and support in this difficult situation. We would also like to express our gratitude to IOM for its excellent cooperation and support in this process. We are now engaged in a continuous activity to ensure the repatriation of about thirty other citizens who are still in Lebanon and sought our assistance”, said Mihai Mîțu.

Abdel Karim, 21, last time visited Moldova two months ago. “I am studying in Lebanon, but the situation has changed dramatically: bombs, strikes, blood. It was a nightmare. Suddenly, it turned into a war, everything degenerated very quickly, and no one expected it. The first thing I would like to do here at home is meet my family and sleep in a safe environment without bomb explosions”, said the young man, as quoted by a press release from IOM Moldova.

IOM Moldova head Ester Ruiz de Azua said she had the opportunity to talk to each repatriated person, and they all expressed gratitude for the assistance received in this crisis situation.

The Moldovan citizens asked for help to flee Lebanon due to a rapid escalation of the conflict with neighboring Israel.