The British Ambassador to Ethiopia H.E Greg Dorey paid a visit on December 12 2013 at Bole International Airport to observe the post arrival humanitarian assistance given to Ethiopian returnees from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA).

Before traveling to the airport, Ambassador Dorey revived a briefing from IOM Ethiopia Chief of Mission and Reprehensive to AU/UNECA/ IGAD Mr. Josiah Ogina about the over all emergency response that is being given to the Ethiopian returnees. Mr. Ogina explained to the Ambassador that IOM is providing transportation allowance, post arrival health assistance, meal and accommodation to the returnees. Special attention is also given unaccompanied children at IOMT ransit Center until they are reunified with their families.

Joined also by The UK Department for International Development (DFID) Humanitarian Advisor, Juliette Prodhan, the Ambassador was able to observe the post arrival services that are being provided to the returnees by the Government of Ethiopia, IOM, and other humanitarian partners at the Airport reception. Mr. Dorey appreciated the coordinated efforts of the Government and IOM to support tens of thousands of returnees, though the arrival numbers are unprecedented. He also mentioned his government readiness to support this process.

Sate Minister of Disaster Risk Management and Food Security Sector (DRMFSS), Ministry of Agriculture H.E Mitiku Kassa who received that Ambassador at the Airport on his part said that the Government of Ethiopia is doing its best to assist its returning citizens from KSA together with humanitarian partners. 

Ambassador Dorey also had a moment with the returnees to understand the situation first hand.