The first and most vulnerable 200 of some 4,000 Sri Lankan migrants
stranded in Kuwait will return home today with IOM.

The migrants, who are currently covered by an amnesty extended
by the Kuwait government are being allowed to leave the country
voluntarily before the 15th of October.   Most have
lost their legal visa status in Kuwait due to various difficulties
with their employers.

The Sri Lankan government and IOM have been working closely with
Kuwait to facilitate the repatriation under an emergency
humanitarian framework. 

In response to a request from the Sri Lankan Ministry of Foreign
Affairs, IOM is using its own funding to support the initial
repatriation of 200 of the most vulnerable, focusing on women,
children and people with special needs. They include women, men and
children as young as two years old. 

The Sri Lankan Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of
Foreign Employment Promotion and Welfare are providing the
necessary diplomatic support to facilitate the repatriation, as
well as providing support for the returnees. 

Thanking the government of Kuwait for its understanding and
assistance, Sri Lanka’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Rohitha
Bogollagama said: "I am very pleased to see how this operation was
set up in a very short time and under extreme circumstances. We are
now able to assist our people to return in dignified
conditions.  This is a very good example of how effective
cooperation between national mechanisms and international technical
assistance impact directly on the lives of people."

IOM Sri Lanka Chief of Mission Mohammed Abdi Ker Mohamud said:
"IOM remains committed to addressing the needs of vulnerable
migrants.  We are now exploring how to continue supporting
both governments on facilitating repatriation of all stranded Sri
Lankan nationals in Kuwait."

For more information please contact:

Mohammed Abdi Ker Mohamud

IOM Sri Lanka

Tel.+94.11.533.3432

E-mail: "mailto:mabdiker@iom.int">mabdiker@iom.int