Brazil hopes to repatriate up to 240 Brazilians in Lebanon by the end of this week, says chancellor

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mauro Vieira, stated, this Monday (30), that the federal government until the end of this week. The statement was made during the chancellor’s agenda in Mexico City.

According to Vieira, the operation is being coordinated by the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Defense, with the participation of the Brazilian Air Force (FAB).

“So we are waiting for the next few days. I believe that by the end of the week we will have the first flight carried out”, he stated.

According to the minister, the first flight should have up to 240 people, as this is the plane’s passenger capacity. However, there will be other flights “as necessary”. Vieira also said that there will be a priority queue on flights.

Obviously, priority will be given to elderly people, women, gentlemen, pregnant women, children, those who are sick, those who need it most, this will be the criteria. But we will, as far as possible, quickly serve all Brazilians there

Mauro Vieira

Mauro Vieira also stated that President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) has expressed “concern” about the consequences of Israel’s attacks on Hezbollah in Lebanon.

“We have great concern, not only for the large number of Brazilians who live in the region, but for the local populations and the violence that has been unlimited,” said the chancellor.

The repatriation operation is considered complex both due to the risks involved and the number of people. Lebanon is home to the largest Brazilian community in the Middle East, with 21 thousand people.

Brazil has asked citizens to fill out a form about their interest in leaving the country. The concern is that the situation will worsen following the death of Hezbollah leaders. Some people are already reporting food and water shortages.

Union criticizes the delay

Earlier, the National Union of Employees of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Sinditamaraty) released a note demanding that the Brazilian government “create a detailed evacuation plan and take urgent measures to guarantee the safety of its employees and family members”.

The text also states that “the unacceptable delay on the part of the ministry in acting could cost lives” and that “it is worth mentioning that this is not the first time that civil servants have dealt with the absence of clear guidelines and protocols: more recently a similar situation was experienced in West Bank.”

At least two Brazilian citizens have already died amid bombings in the country.