Ninety-five Zambian nationals who were in Ukraine are expected to arrive in Lusaka, Zambia on Tuesday March 8, 2022.
Speaking at a media briefing in Lusaka today, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Stanley Kakubo attributed the delay in the evacuation process to closure of airspace over Ukraine resulting in airspace congestion in the Europe-controlled zone.
He said a lot of flight schedules have been gravely affected causing the departure of the Zambian nationals to be rescheduled to Tuesday March 8, 2022.
Mr Kakubo indicated that the Zambians are safe in Warsaw Poland under government care and are in high spirits, ready to be evacuated.
He disclosed that two have moved safely out of Ukraine but have opted to remain in Europe while three are in Kharkiv and have opted to remain in Ukraine.
Mr Kakubo added that out of 14 students who were in the city of Sumy, two are in transit to Lviv after securing private transport with other foreign nationals and the staff from Zambia’s mission in Moscow and Berlin are in constant contact with them as they move towards Poland.
He explained that 12 of the Zambian students form part of the nearly 4,000 population of international students still in Sumy, including those from China, India, Ghana and Nigeria among others.
Mr Kakubo however assured that through the Zambian Mission in Moscow, indications are that there will be a humanitarian corridor created by both the Ukrainian and Russian sides to allow for the safe passage of the students.
‘’You may wish to know that the evacuation process is being conducted under extraordinarily difficult, volatile and complex circumstances for all governments seeking to evacuate their respective nationals out of Ukraine.
However, I wish to reassure the nation that the government remains committed to conclude all necessary arrangements for the evacuation of our nationals,’’ he assured.
Meanwhile Mr Kakubo explained that in line with the COVID 19 guidelines necessary measures have been put in place for the smooth screening of Zambian nationals upon their arrival.
‘’In this regard parents will not have immediate access to the students to allow for all the necessary health procedures to be carried out and accommodation will be provided by the government for at least two nights,’’ he sai
WHATS THE IMPOSTER GOT TO SAY NOW ?
AFTER SAYING THIS GOVERNMENT WAS NEGLECTING THE STUDENTS
NATO countries are speaking with one voice. Why are African’s failing to respond to this crisis as a collective? AU need to assess this danger and start preparing for the disruptions. Why do we always play the waiting game? AU should get together and discuss this crisis not just from the humanitarian level but economic disruptions. Africa could also see migrants running away from the dangers of a nuclear war to seek safety in Africa.
This is good news but let’s be mindful that there are those that are still stressed because their children are still stuck. So it won’t be supportive to them if we over celebrate our children’s coming. Those videos of children walking are quite emotional. I pray that all will be finally safe
Firstly, very slow reaction by the incompetent upnd govt. They went further to risk the lives of Zambians by aligning themselves with ukraine when even the western Europeans are scared of Russia. This could have led to the death of Zambian nationals. Hh needs to be serious. Very f00Iish untactical behaviour
Hey you chipuba imposter above ,this smart UPND govt rescued 95 Zambians from a warzone in faraway Europe while PF govt was MIA to let 100 Zambians die of cholera right in Zambia.
Congrats on this great mission execution by UPND govt in a far away European warzone.
Emmanuel Mwamba avale mulomo wake making noise in the papers every day HH this HH that! Otherwise the incumbent government will “Ukraine” the stupid Katangese Kasai.
Well done, Mr. President HH and your government.
Mbuzi Meeeeeeeeeeeeeeee – nothing sensible can ever come from a PF cadre meeeeee know nil about world affairs – ubututufye.
PF of Lazy Lungu would have let them hang to dry like they did to our students during the covid-19 lockdown in India. Well done to the govt!!
NOW ITS VERY SLOW ACCORDING TO THE IMPOSTER
REALLY CANT MOST ON HERE SEE THIS CHAP IS DEMENTED
Kudos to the New Dawn Government,this whole exercise has been very professionally executed.I commend the maximum utilisation of Zambian missions in Moscow,Berlin and other neighbouring countries…this is as it should be.
I was involved in the rescue of Zambian nationals from Tripoli during the war there some years back and know just how difficult and complex it is to carry out these extractions.Let the experiences from all these missions be documented for adoption as standard emergency procedures to be followed by Government in future crisis.