THE government takes care of its citizens working abroad and assists them if they face hardships. The government also arranged to repatriate Myanmar nationals stranded in Israel and they arrived back in Myanmar on 26 October and were welcomed by their relatives and parents at the Yangon International Airport.

The government evacuated its citizens from Tel Aviv, Israel, to Bangkok, Thailand, on 25 October under an evacuation plan, and the citizens arrived back in Yangon by 8M 351 MAI flight from Bangkok in the same evening.

One of the returnees, Ko Aung Kyaw Oo, said “I was frightened as the war broke out suddenly. We run down to the bomb shelter as we cannot stay in the house anymore. I have been attending an agricultural training course in Israel for over four years. The Myanmar Embassy to Israel contacted us and arranged for us to return so we arrive back safely and peacefully.

“I am very excited at Israel airport for my return to Myanmar. When I arrived in Bangkok, the feeling of happiness was just 50 per cent and when the flight landed at the Yangon airport, the consciousness of being my land cannot be replaced with anything. None of the places is as warm as my motherland. I thanked the ones who welcomed me. I am from Pinlaung of Shan State. I deeply thank the government officials, Myanmar Ambassador to Israel and other relevant officials. I thank all.

Ma Lamai Mirror said,” The feeling of coming home cannot be replaced by anything. I would like to express deeper words to express my gratitude. I am from Tanai in Kachin State. I prayed along the trip. I thank the government and embassy for my return. I also thank all officials who repatriated me to my parents.”

Ma Moe Thidar Aung said, “I live in the downtown area. I heard the noise of war at Israel’s border. At that time, I wanted to return to my country. The embassy officials contacted us to repatriate so I could return peacefully. I would like to thank the embassy for their patience for repatriation. I live in Dagon Myothit (Seikkan) Township of Yangon. I want to thank the relevant officials and heads of the country.”

Ma Khin Hnin Ei said, “I heard the noise of war in Tel Aviv every day. We have been living there for four years. We haven’t encountered such a case before. Some foreigners returned to their respective countries. There are also some Myanmar citizens. I wanted to return to my country as soon as I heard the sound of war. We were very tired of thinking about what would happen every day. I live in Thayawady of Bago Region. I miss my family. When I received the letter from the embassy, I was very delighted. Before the flight landing off at Israel airport and after flying in the air was the longest time for me. I became calm when I arrived in Bangkok and felt happy and sad at the same time on arrival at Yangon airport. The power of happiness when I stepped on my motherland cannot be exchanged with anything. I would like to express my gratitude to the relevant officials for their help in repatriating us.”

The returnees were welcomed back sby officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Disaster Management Department of the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement and their family members at Yangon International Airport.

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