385 Indonesian Citizens Evacuated from Sudan Arrive at Soetta Airport, Head Directly to the Pondok Gede Hajj Dormitory Before Returning to Their Respective Regions

Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi and TNI Commander Admiral Yudo Margono gave a press statement at Soekarno-Hatta Airport. (Screenshot of the YouTube channel of the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

JAKARTA - Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi together with National Army (TNI) Commander Admiral TNI Yudo Margono welcomed the arrival of hundreds of Indonesian citizens (WNI) who were evacuated from Sudan at Soekarno-Hatta Airport (Soetta), Tangerang, Friday.

"There were 385 Indonesian citizens who arrived on Garuda Indonesia flight GA991, consisting of 248 women and 137 men," said Foreign Minister Retno in a press statement at the airport, Friday, April 28.

Foreign Minister Retno further explained that this was the first stage of the arrival of Indonesian citizens from Sudan who were flown via Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

"They will be housed in the dormitory (Haji Pondok Gede) before being sent back to their respective areas," said Foreign Minister Retno.

"The Coordinating Ministry for PMK will provide medical examination facilities to counseling before returning home. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of Social Affairs, and related agencies will facilitate the return," she continued.

Regarding the process of returning Indonesian citizens from Sudan, Foreign Minister Retno said the second stage of repatriation would take place on April 29 and arrive on April 30. Meanwhile, the third and final stage will be carried out on April 30 using an Indonesian Air Force aircraft.

"As of now, only 111 Indonesian citizens are still in Port Sudan. Today they flew to Jeddah using Indonesian Air Force aircraft," concluded Foreign Minister Retno.