All Maldivians safely evacuated from Ukraine

All Maldivians who were stranded in Ukraine amid the ongoing conflict have been evacuated safely.

The nine Maldivians remaining in Ukraine safely crossed the border into Hungary late Wednesday, revealed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The government arranged their visas and other necessities before they arrived in Hungary.

As such, the Ministry stated that the five students and a family of three in Kharkiv, Ukraine as well as one in Dnipro arrived safely in Budapest, Hungary.

They will be beginning their journey to return to Maldives, on Friday.

Abdulla Shahid, Minister of Foreign Affairs posted a Tweet early Wednesday, applauding the young students for their “incredible” resilience and “maturity” during a crisis of such magnitude. FM Shahid earlier called the students on the phone while they were in Kharkiv.

He also expressed gratitude for the leadership shown by President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, whose compassion and sheer guidance throughout the process of evacuation from Ukraine was praised by the Minister.

The Foreign Minister went on to thank his Hungarian counterpart, Péter Szijjártó for the support and arrangements made at the consulate of Hungary in Ungvar Uzhhorod and at the border.

Appreciation was also extended to the Ambassador of Maldives in Germany, Ahmed Latheef and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Humaid as well as the foreign ministry staff, those at the embassy in Germany and the Honorary Consul of Maldives in Radu Morar.

The government had earlier informed the students that financial assistance will be provided to those who request to fly back.

Due to threats of war, many locals residing in the country were repatriated to Maldives. However, some students got stranded after the war broke out. The situation continues to escalate in the Eastern European country where millions of refugees continue to flee the country.