Kenya evacuates 744 nationals abroad amid COVID-19 pandemic

NAIROBI,

Kenya's ministry of foreign affairs said Sunday it has facilitated the evacuations of 744 nationals who have been stranded across the world due to COVID-19 pandemic.

The ministry said Kenyans who have been flown home are from South Sudan, United Arab Emirates, Egypt, India, among others.

"The ministry of foreign affairs has responded to distress calls of Kenyans in several parts of the world and in collaboration with various foreign governments and airlines has facilitated the return of hundreds of Kenyans stranded in several countries," it said in a statement issued in Nairobi.

The ministry said it was only facilitating those stranded because of the suspension of international travel by many countries and can pay for their tickets.

"This is the practice in many countries. However, where resources allowed, the Ministry chipped in. In the case of India, the ministry chartered local flights to airlift the patients from different cities to Mumbai to catch the KQ flight," it said.

The ministry said Kenya has so far lost 23 Kenyans to COVID-19 related cases at abroad-- ten in the U.S., six in Britain, two in Italy, one each in Switzerland, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, France and Sweden. (Xinhua)