A spokesperson for the 483 Sierra Leoneans currently stranded in Beirut and other parts of Lebanon has issued a desperate plea to President Julius Maada Bio for urgent assistance in repatriating them to their homeland.

Madam Kadiatu Kanu, a victim herself, urged President Bio to emulate the example of his Ethiopian counterpart who recently sent an airline to evacuate hundreds of Ethiopians from war-torn Lebanon. She described the dire situation faced by Sierra Leoneans in the region, highlighting their struggle to find food and shelter and the constant threat of violence.

The situation has been further exacerbated by the death of Sierra Leone’s consulate in Lebanon, Mr. Hashim Hashim. Kanu revealed that the late consul had repeatedly appealed to the International Office of Migration (IOM) for assistance in repatriating the stranded citizens but had received no concrete action.

Reports also indicate that hundreds of Sierra Leoneans are stranded in various parts of Africa and the Middle East, including Agadez, Niger; Ankara, Turkey; Morocco; Dubai, UAE; Kuwait; and several West African countries. Many of these individuals are facing severe hardships, including imprisonment, sexual abuse, and lack of basic necessities.