UKRAINE EVACUATION :57 ZAMBIAN STUDENTS SAFELY IN POLAND

Government says Fifty -Seven Zambian students have safely crossed the Ukraine border and are in Poland while one student is safely in Hungary.

Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister STANLEY KAKUBO says 18 students are still in transit towards the polish border, three students are in Kharkiv while 21 students are in Lviv are awaiting transportation to the border where transport will be provided by government.

Mr. KAKUBO says out of the known 141 Zambians in Ukraine, there are indications that 27 are former students and have opted to remain in that country and have integrated in the Ukrainian society.

He however says the Zambian Embassy together with the SADC Group in Moscow is actively engaging the Russian Government to create safe passage for the Students in SUMY through Russia.

Mr. KAKUBO says the Polish authorities have organized a facility to serve as a transit point before the nationals are transported to WARSAW where they will be provided with necessities.

Speaking during a press briefing in Lusaka, Mr. KAKUBO has requested for patience from parents and guardians of the students and the public.

And Mr KAKUBO has encouraged those nationals living in Russia that have the capacity to consider leaving that country while the airspace is open as tensions continue between the two countries.

He has since encouraged all nationals not registered both in Ukraine and Russia to urgently do so as Government continues to monitor the situation.

Russia has about 800 Zambians which 500 are students, while about 25 are diplomats and the rest might be residents.

And speaking during at the same the press briefing, Defense Permanent Secretary NORMAN CHIPAKUPAKU said the Ministry is working at ensuring that the flight is direct to Zambia while adhering to the Covid -19 guidelines.

Meanwhile, DMMU National Coordinator GABRIEL POLLEN said the charted plane is a 263 seater which is currently stationed in Warsaw.

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