Dhaka, 15 April 2020:

In continuation of two previous meetings to address the challenges of COVID-19 pandemic, particularly repatriation of stranded Bangladeshi citizens abroad, the third meeting of the same nature was convened at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs today.

 A range of issues relating to repatriation, nationality verification, quarantine, relief for the expatriates, coordination among departments, sending medicines and medical equipment to friendly countries, post repatriation preparedness etc. were discussed elaborately.

Asa goodwill gesture, a medical team equipped with medical gadgets and medicine from the Armed Forces Division has been sent to help Kuwait in this critical moment. Also, as a friendly gesture, Bangladesh is sending food stuffs, medicines, medical equipment and other items to the Government of Maldives. A consignment of medicines and medical items will be sent to Bhutan shortly. Bangladesh is also planning to send similar items to other countries in need.

The Armed Forces Division (AFD) in coordination with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has been working to prepare quarantine centers at different places in Dhaka and other districts with a capacity of around 4000 persons for institutional quarantine. AFD has been in close liaison with the Health Ministry and Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh for post-arrival formalities including quarantining the returnees. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will coordinate with the Civil Aviation Authority for smooth Airport reception and ease in landing permission of special flights carrying Bangladesh nationals from different countries.

The UAE has expressed keen interest to import food items from Bangladesh and work is underway to coordinate with all concerned to materialize this.

The Ministry of Expatriate Welfare and Overseas Employment announced that every returnee will be given BDT 5000.00 on arrival at the airport as conveyance and the family of expatriate workers who died of coronavirus will be given BDT 300000.00. The Ministry will also arrange loans up to BDT 500000.00-700000.00 upon return of expatriate workers in order to enable them pursue viable economic activities, especially in the agriculture sector.

The meeting was presided over by Dr. A K Abdul Momen, Foreign Minister. Imran Ahmed, Minister for Expatriate Welfare and Overseas Employment and Md. Shahriar Alam, State Minister for Foreign Affairs including Principal Staff Officer (Armed Forces Division), Chairman Civil Aviation Authority, Secretaries and senior officials from different Ministries/Divisions/Agencies were present at the meeting.