Thirteen Fijian students have been successfully repatriated from Israel amid the escalating tensions in the Middle East.
In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the repatriation was recently undertaken to ensure the safety and well-being of the Fijian students, enabling them to safely reunite with their families in Fiji.
“A total of thirteen (13) students from the Navuso Agriculture Technical Institute have been part of the 10-month practical attachment at the Arava International Centre for Agricultural Training (AICAT) in Israel since late last year,” the statement said.
“The capacity-building initiative has been established as part of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between the Fiji Ministry of Agriculture and the Government of the State of Israel on advancing the agricultural sector in Fiji.
“Just when the students were preparing for their return after completing the 10-month attachment, the war broke out between Israel and Iran, thus the repatriation plan was activated to ensure the students’ return safely to Fiji.”
Upon arrival at the Nadi International Airport, the students were warmly welcomed by their families, friends, and officials from the Navuso Agricultural Technical Institute and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The students and their families expressed their heartfelt appreciation to the Government for the dedicated efforts in ensuring their safe return.
They also acknowledged the Government for the timely support provided to them while they were in Israel for their studies and for the commitment to prioritising the welfare and wellbeing of the Fijian nationals abroad.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs thanked the Government of the State of Israel for its commitment to ensuring the safe evacuation of the Fiji students.
“A special thanks to the students for their patience, and their families and all the stakeholders for their support in making this repatriation initiative a success.”
