SINGAPORE: As tensions mount in the Middle East after the US-Israeli strike on Iran on Feb 28, and with commercial flights grounded in parts of the region, here is a look at how the authorities worldwide are coordinating emergency departures for their nationals stranded there.
Australia
Flights and evacuation routes: The government has expressed “concern” to airlines as commercial flights from the Middle East return with some empty seats. It is putting in place transfers from Kuwait to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and will also start bus transits from Qatar’s capital, Doha, to Riyadh.
Nationals evacuated so far: Over 1,300 Australians have arrived via commercial flights.
Estimated number of nationals still in the region: About 115,000 Australians in the Middle East, with 24,000 in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Bangladesh
Flights and evacuation routes: The government is arranging evacuation flights from the UAE and Kuwait.
Nationals evacuated so far: 378 have returned on a special US-Bangla Airlines flight, with another flight scheduled.
Estimated number of nationals still in the region: An unknown number of nationals are still seeking rescue, with around 2,000 stuck in Iran. About six million Bangladeshis are in the Middle East.
China
Flights and evacuation routes: The government is arranging land routes and evacuation flights.
Nationals evacuated so far: Over 3,000 Chinese nationals have been evacuated from Iran.
Estimated number of nationals still in the region: An unknown number are still seeking rescue, with over one million Chinese nationals in the Middle East.
India
Flights and evacuation routes: Indian citizens are leaving through special relief flights from the UAE, Oman and Saudi Arabia.
Nationals evacuated so far: Thousands of nationals have returned from the UAE on special relief flights.
Estimated number of nationals still in the region: About 9,000 Indians, including 1,200 students, are reported to be stranded in Iran. In addition, 22,000 Indian visitors and tourists stuck in the Middle East have sought help from Indian embassies, and some 10,000 have already returned. There are around nine million Indians in the Middle East.
Indonesia
Flights and evacuation routes: The government is arranging evacuation flights for umrah pilgrims in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and flights through Baku, Azerbaijan, for nationals in Iran, though the route may change. The Foreign Ministry has advised Indonesian citizens to avoid travel to the region.
Nationals evacuated so far: 10,060 umrah pilgrims, along with 32 Indonesians, in the first phase of evacuations from Iran on March 6.
Estimated number of nationals still in the region: Besides the 32 who have already been evacuated, there are 297 nationals still in Iran, mostly university students in Qom and around 40,000 umrah pilgrims still in Saudi Arabia as at March 6. Overall, 519,042 Indonesians reside in the Middle East, but no other evacuations are currently planned aside from Iran.
Japan
Flights and evacuation routes: The government operated chartered flights from Oman and Saudi Arabia on March 8, covering the costs. It has advised Japanese nationals to avoid travelling to Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, the UAE, Oman and eastern Saudi Arabia for any reason.
Nationals evacuated so far: Five Japanese nationals were rescued via land travel from Israel to Jordan, and two from Iran to Azerbaijan.
Estimated number of nationals still in the region: About 11,000 Japanese in the Middle East have registered for emergency information.
Malaysia
Flights and evacuation routes: The government confirms that evacuation efforts to assist Malaysians affected by the escalating conflict in parts of the Middle East are continuing and advises citizens to defer travel to countries affected by the conflict.
Nationals evacuated so far: As at March 7, 185 nationals from Oman and 246 from Dubai have been flown out of the Middle East to Kuala Lumpur. On March 8, the number of affected Malaysian umrah pilgrims decreased to fewer than 300 following the resumption of commercial flights.
Estimated number of nationals still in the region: As at March 8, 24,568 Malaysians have registered with the ministry through the e-Konsular system; 641 Malaysians are stranded across several locations in the region.
Pakistan
Flights and evacuation routes: Citizens are leaving Iran through land crossings into Azerbaijan with diplomatic assistance.
Nationals evacuated so far: 792 Pakistanis have been repatriated from Iran.
Estimated number of nationals still in the region: An unknown number of nationals are still seeking rescue, while about five million Pakistanis are in the Middle East.
The Philippines
Flights and evacuation routes: The government is arranging repatriation flights in the UAE, Iran, Israel and other Gulf states.
Nationals evacuated so far: As at March 5, 299 Filipinos have been evacuated, with one more plane of repatriates scheduled to arrive in Manila on the evening of March 8.
Estimated number of nationals still in the region: A total of 1,416 have requested repatriation, while over two million Filipinos are estimated to be living in the Middle East.
South Korea
Flights and evacuation routes: The government is arranging evacuation flights from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Egypt and Turkey.
Nationals evacuated so far: More than 500 South Koreans have been evacuated from Dubai, Iran and Israel.
Estimated number of nationals still in the region: Around 18,000 South Koreans are currently believed to be in 14 Middle Eastern nations, including 4,900 short-term travellers, of whom 3,500 are stranded due to cancelled flights.
Sri Lanka
Flights and evacuation routes: The government is arranging evacuation flights out of functional hubs like Muscat, Oman.
Nationals evacuated so far: Unknown.
Estimated number of nationals still in the region: An unknown number of nationals are seeking rescue, while around one million Sri Lankans are estimated to be in the Middle East.
Thailand
Flights and evacuation routes: Officials are in Turkey to facilitate the evacuation of Thai nationals from Iran through land crossings into Turkey before they return to Thailand by air. On March 7, 62 Thai nationals arrived in Turkey from Tehran; 30 of them will be the first batch to land in Bangkok on March 9, the rest will land on March 10.
A second group of 56 people will leave Iran for Turkey on March 10. The Thai embassy in Tehran will temporarily relocate its operations to Van, Turkey, starting on March 10.
Nationals evacuated so far: 292 nationals have been assisted in returning home.
Estimated number of nationals still in the region: 125 Thais have registered for evacuation in Iran; about 61,000 Thais are working and living in the Middle East.
United Kingdom
Flights and evacuation routes: The government is arranging evacuation flights from Muscat, Oman, on March 11 and 12.
Nationals evacuated so far: Over 4,000 British nationals have returned.
Estimated number of nationals still in the region: More than 102,000 have requested rescue, while around 300,000 British nationals are estimated to be in the Middle East.
United States
Flights and evacuation routes: Charter flights and commercial options are being coordinated by the US State Department from the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Jordan.
Nationals evacuated so far: Over 28,000 Americans have returned from the Middle East. These figures do not include those who have safely relocated to other countries or who have departed the region but are still in transit back to the US.
Estimated number of nationals still in the region: Over one million Americans are in the Middle East. - The Straits Times/ANN
*** Additional reporting by Bhagyashree Garekar, Karina Tehusijarana, May Wong, Rohini Mohan, Shannon Teoh, Wendy Teo and Yew Lun Tian
