The government hopes to return more than 200 Ecuadorians who fled the war in Ukraine on a third humanitarian flight that they are planning for the end of this week.
This was reported by the Foreign Minister, Juan Carlos Holguín, this Monday, March 7, 2022, specifying that there are 166 Ecuadorians who have already confirmed their return to the country, but called again for more compatriots to decide to return.
He pointed out that there are less than 100 Ecuadorians still in Ukraine, after the military operation that Russia began on February 24. Since then, more than 700 have already managed to leave for bordering countries. Most arrived in Poland, but they are also in Slovakia, Romania and others.
At the moment, he said, there are 82 Ecuadorians in Warsaw, of this number, 50 have confirmed their return to Ecuador and 30 are moving on their own within the Schengen territory.
In Slovakia there are 10 Ecuadorians, seven advanced on their own, after signing the declaration. In Romania there are 11 Ecuadorians who advance to Budapest, Hungary, so that they can return to the country.
“We have decided that Budapest and Warsaw are the main reception centers for Ecuadorians, there they will be cared for under the care of the Ecuadorian government,” he said.
Regarding those who are still in Ukraine, the Foreign Ministry maintains a map in which they have georeferenced Ecuadorians who are in risk areas. It was planned that this Monday a rescue operation of 7 compatriots would be carried out, but they had to abort the mission, which is being carried out by the International Red Cross, because there were no guarantees from the humanitarian corridor.
With the rest of Ecuadorians also in risk areas, the foreign minister explained that they are following the cases of each one and following the recommendations of the international organizations that work in the territory.
Finally, he announced the government’s decision to reopen the Embassy of Ecuador in Poland, which, he said, “was closed in 2014 without technical support.” Beyond the situation, Holguín explained that the diplomatic headquarters will help to face a series of contingencies in the future due to the number of Ecuadorians in the region.
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