MFA Press Statement: Evacuation of Singaporeans from Yemen to Oman

The evacuated Singaporeans are accompanied by Dr Albakri Ahmad, Dean of MUIS Academy (left, in sunglasses) and Richard Grosse, Consul-General of the Singapore Consulate-General in Muscat and leader of the Crisis Response Team (in grey suit). [Photo credit: MFA]

Richard Grosse, Consul-General of the Singapore Consulate-General in Muscat and leader of the Crisis Response Team (in grey suit) with the evacuated Singaporeans. [Photo credit: MFA]

Despite challenging conditions, MFA managed to assist 15 Singaporeans to leave Yemen between 2 and 9 April 2015. Yesterday (12 April), MFA, working closely with Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura (MUIS), arranged a coach  carrying eight Singaporeans and nationals from Brunei, Cambodia, India, Malaysia and Vietnam from Tarim, Yemen to Salalah in Oman.  This brings the total number of Singaporeans who have been evacuated from Yemen to 23 over the past fortnight.

MFA also despatched a Crisis Response Team (CRT) to Oman on 11 April 2015. The CRT was on the ground to receive the eight Singaporeans at the Omani border, and are arranging for them to return home later this week.

“The Singaporeans told us that the journey was tiring – more than 20 hours on the road with several stops.  My colleagues and I are relieved that they arrived safely in Salalah. We would also like to thank the Omani government for facilitating the operations of our CRT,” said Richard Grosse, Consul-General of the Singapore Consulate-General in Muscat and leader of the CRT.

Dr Albakri Ahmad, Dean of MUIS Academy, who was also part of the CRT, said: “We are glad that they have arrived in Salalah safely.  MUIS was able to work with MFA to assist these students at short notice.  We are also concerned that the situation may deteriorate which would make such efforts in future difficult.”

Notwithstanding MFA’s repeated calls for Singaporeans to leave Yemen since last year, there are still Singaporeans who have opted to stay behind.  MFA remains deeply concerned for their safety, and will continue to maintain close contact with them.

The window of opportunity for Singaporeans to leave Yemen safely is narrowing. The CRT is planning another overland evacuation to bring Singaporeans out of Tarim but this is contingent on the ground conditions which are increasingly difficult.  The rapidly deteriorating situation may well prevent MFA from mounting further evacuation operations.

          Singaporeans in Yemen who have yet to contact us or require assistance are urged to contact the MFA Duty Officer (24-hours) at: 6379 8800 / 8855 or mfa_duty_officer@mfa.gov.sg for advice and assistance.

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

SINGAPORE

13 APRIL 2015