ESAT News (July 26, 2017)
An estimated US$30 million is required for post-arrival and reintegration assistance of the most vulnerable Ethiopian returnees from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
The report by the agency said urgent needs include water and energy biscuits, wet feeds, mobile latrines, diapers, cloths, dignity kits and transportation support to final destinations for the most vulnerable, unaccompanied minors, single mothers and abused migrants.
According to the Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, more than 130,000 undocumented Ethiopians had received exit visa from Saudi Arabia as at 18 July 2017, of whom more than 60,000 have returned.
The government estimates there are 400,000 Ethiopians who call the Kingdom home but others put the number as high as 700,000.
In March, Saudi declared a 90 day amnesty for all undocumented workers to leave the Kingdom and return legally. The amnesty was extended by one month upon Ethiopia’s request and had expire on July 25, 2017. Those who stay behind will face monetary penalty, imprisonment and force deportation, according to Saudi officials.