Govt doing its best to help foreigners: Foreign ministry

The Bangladesh government has put forth its best efforts to help out foreign citizens and permanent residents (PRs) stranded in the country amid the Covid-19 pandemic, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

"The government has extended its wholehearted cooperation to the foreign missions in Dhaka, who sought assistance in repatriating their citizens and PRs keen to stand by their family members during this crisis," read a press release issued on Sunday.

The release read, "So far the government has facilitated six special flights – including two flights to the USA with over 900 passengers. Most of them are regular visitors who arrived in Bangladesh before the Covid-19 outbreak, and became stranded when regular flight operations were suspended.

"As they started to contact the embassies and request repatriation, embassies undertook measures in collaboration with the government to arrange charter flights."

The foreign ministry added, "About 85 percent of USA-bound passengers are Bangladeshi-born US citizens and PRs who travelled to reunite with their families and accompany them during the time they need them most.

"A significant number of PRs had to travel back to the USA before the deadline period, a legal obligation that needs to be obliged by all PRs."

The ministry further stated, "A large number of Japanese and Russian citizens who have left and are in the process of leaving were engaged in different projects which are currently not in operation.

"So these experts and consultants have decided to join their families as currently they do not have much work," the ministry continued.

The foreign ministry expects that as soon as the situation normalises all of them will return. 

It also revealed that among other cases, a good number of foreign students studying in Bangladesh have flown back and are in the process of leaving Bangladesh, as all the educational institutions are presently closed.

"In the same spirit, the government remains committed to providing adequate healthcare facilities and supporting the foreign citizens and PRs living in the country – particularly diplomats and their families," the press release read.