Jakarta, Indonesia Seneitnel — The Indonesian government is continuing evacuation efforts for its citizens from Lebanon following escalating Israeli airstrikes targeting Hezbollah positions last week. According to Judha Nugraha, Director of the Protection of Indonesian Citizens (PWNI) of the Ministry of Foreign Affair (Kemlu), there are still 116 Indonesians remaining in Lebanon who have chosen not to be evacuated, opting instead to stay in the country.
“This was their own choice, they have decided not to participate in the evacuation,” Judha said during a virtual press conference on Friday, October 4, 2024.
The 116 Indonesians are spread across various regions in Lebanon, with the largest group of 83 people residing in the capital, Beirut. Others are located in Tripoli (13), Baabda (4), Bekaa (5), Byblos (3), Akkar (4), Tyre (3), and Saida (1). The remaining Indonesians include students, migrant workers, and those married to Lebanese citizens.
Most Indonesian students are based in the relatively safer northern regions of Lebanon, where their universities have not yet declared an emergency status. Many are hesitant to evacuate, fearing it would disrupt their education.
“Among the 116, the majority are either married to Lebanese citizens, students, or migrant workers,” Judha explained.
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On the other hand, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has successfully evacuated 65 Indonesians from Lebanon in five waves. The first three waves, conducted on August 10, 18, and 28, evacuated 25 Indonesians. The fourth and fifth waves in early October safely evacuated an additional 40 individuals.
Those 40 evacuees, along with one foreign national (a spouse of an Indonesian), have safely reached Amman, Jordan, and will be flown to Jakarta via two commercial flights, expected to arrive on October 7, 2024.
“All 40 Indonesians and the one foreign national are now safe in Amman, Jordan,” Judha confirmed.
Indonesia has declared all of Lebanon a high-alert zone (Level 1), intensifying efforts for the evacuation of Indonesian citizens still in the country. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, along with the Indonesian Embassy in Beirut, is actively communicating with the remaining Indonesians, urging them to return home for their safety.
(Raidi/Agung)
