In an effort to protect and help Zimbabweans caught up in the Russia-Ukraine war, the government of Zimbabwe has since managed to evacuate over 100 of the 256 registered citizens in Ukraine.
Permanent Secretary for Information, Publicity and Broadcasting services Nick Mangwana through his Twitter handle, revealed that 118 students have been relocated to other European countries.
He revealed that tickets have since been purchased for the first of students who were relocated to Poland.
“ZIMBABWEANS BASED IN UKRAINE UPDATE: To date 118 students have been relocated to the following safe places, Romania – 28 -Hungary -15 -Slovakia -26 -Poland – 49 Tickets have been purchased for the first group of students who relocated to Poland,” he tweeted.
Prior, Nick Mangwana had said that the government would be able to assist citizens once they arrive in any third country. Nick tweeted that the government will pay for their hotel stay and buy their flight tickets from Berlin back home.
“The Zimbabwe Embassy in Berlin has registered 256 citizens in Ukraine. It has advised nationals to leave Ukraine if it is safe to do so and travel to any third country.
“Currently, there are no flights out of Ukraine (and leaving) has to be by other means. Help will be given when nationals have accessed any of the following third countries, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Hungary, Moldova and Russia,” reads the tweet.
Meanwhile, there are reports of racism and segregation at the border.
Scores of Africans have reported episodes of abuse and discrimination while trying to cross into Ukraine’s neighbours.
According to Aljazeera, Ukrainians and Polish nationals are allowed to pass through the much quicker vehicles’ lane, while foreigners have to go through the pedestrian one, a three-stage process that can last from 14 to 50 hours.-iharare
