MFA plans repatriation flight for S'poreans on Mar. 7 from Oman amidst Middle East conflict

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) is planning to mount a repatriation flight from Muscat, Oman, on Mar. 7 to help Singaporeans get home from the region, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Gan Siow Huang said at a doorstop on Mar. 5.

This is to cater to Singaporeans who are currently in Oman and the UAE, where 60 per cent of those who have e-registered with the MFA are located, Gan added.

Gan was giving an update on the consular support given by MFA to Singaporeans who are in the Middle East since the start of the Middle East conflict between Israel, U.S., Iran and Iran's neighbouring countries.

More repatriation flights being explored: Gan

Apart from the Mar. 7 Oman flight, Gan said that MFA is also working with airlines and local authorities to explore the feasibility of further repatriation flights, taking into account flight routes and airport reopening schedules.

Additionally, Gan shared that MFA will be launching assisted overland trips for Singaporeans in Bahrain and Qatar to take them to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where the airport remains open.

"There are some commercial flights that are still available for Singaporeans to book, and we will be reaching out to Singaporeans who have recently indicated to us that they would like assistance to return to Singapore," Gan said.

To bolster on-the-ground support, MFA will also be deploying two more crisis response team offices to the region, on top of the current three offices which are already operating in Muscat, Oman.

Quarter of e-registered Singaporeans have sought MFA's help to get home: Gan

About a quarter of Singaporeans in the Middle East who have e-registered have sought assistance from MFA to return home, Gan shared.

Gan did not mention the number of Singaporeans currently in the Middle East.

"We urge Singaporeans who are in the Middle East region to stay in sheltered places and also heed the advice of local authorities," Gan advised.

She also urged Singaporeans who have yet to e-register with the MFA to do so to facilitate communication and the provision of information.

Singaporeans can e-register with the MFA here.

In a Mar. 4 Facebook post, Minister for Foreign Affairs Vivian Balakrishnan emphasised that the welfare of Singaporeans remains a priority, and that Overseas Missions are focused on providing consular assistance.

"We are doing our best to get Singaporeans to safety under these volatile circumstances."

Top image via Reuters