#Headlines

Gambia evacuates citizens from Lebanon 

Oct 8, 2024, 9:51 AM

The government yesterday announced it is evacuating its citizens from Lebanon amid security concerns.

“Following a careful consideration and serious assessment of the escalating security situation in the Region, particularly in Lebanon, the government has set in motion the process to evacuate Gambians living in Lebanon with immediate effect,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad states in a press statement which reads below. 

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad wishes to inform the public, especially Gambian nationals in the Middle East, that for some time now, the Ministry and its relevant Missions have been monitoring developments relating to the ongoing security situation in the region with utmost concern and keen interest. Following a careful consideration and serious assessment of the escalating security situation in the Region, particularly in Lebanon, the government has set in motion the process to evacuate Gambians living in Lebanon with immediate effect. Consequently, all Gambians living in Lebanon are hereby requested to contact the following numbers with their passport and contact details. They are:

  1. The Director Diaspora and Migration Directorate, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Banjul, Mobile number +220 766 1922 and +220 394 5186.
  2. ⁠The Honorary Consulate General of The Gambia in Beirut, Lebanon, Mobile numbers +961-76 885 400 and +961 3 004 791.

All the numbers above are reachable on the WhatsApp message platform. In addition, the contact information for all Gambian Diplomatic and Consular Missions Abroad are available on the Ministry’s Diaspora website: www.diaspora.gm

Furthermore, families and friends in The Gambia are urged to engage their loved ones in Lebanon to share this information with them to ensure that every Gambian living in Lebanon becomes aware of this urgent offer of evacuation. 

Meanwhile, as communicated in the message issued by the Honorary Consulate General of The Gambia in Beirut on the 1st August 2024, all Gambians living in Lebanon are urged to immediately register their presence with the Honorary Consulate General and on the WhatsApp group created for Gambian Citizens in Lebanon +961 3 128 864 to ensure easy and timely communication with Gambian Authorities. 

The Ministry would continue to closely monitor developments in Lebanon and the entire Middle East with keen interest especially as it concerns the safety and well-being of our citizens. The cooperation, vigilance and understanding of all Gambian Citizens in the Middle East, especially, those living in Lebanon during this difficult period is highly solicited.