The effort to bring back home undocumented Ethiopians from Saudi Arabia in the remaining 12 days has been intensified, according to Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Over 82,000 Ethiopian migrants have secured exit visas while about 1,400 have returned today.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson, Meles Alem said collective efforts are being exerted to bring back the citizens and reintegrate them with the community as the deadline set by Saudi Arabia is closing.

According to him, various institutions and non-governmental organizations are making pledges and preparations to welcome and reintegrate the returnees.

MIDROC Ethiopia has for instance pledged 10 million birr for returnees, in addition to granting scholarship for 100 citizens at Unity University and providing education for 100 children from KG to grade 8 as well as jobs for 100.

Ethiopian Athletics Federation, Ethiopian Olympic Committee, and Ministry of Youth and Sport have similarly pledged 5 million birr.

Addis Ababa City Administration has readied 700 volunteers and Ministry of Health 11 hospitals to assist those in need of immediate support, he stated.

Meanwhile, Ethiopia has finalized preparations to host the 2017 World Refugees Day next week under the theme “We Stand Together with Refugees”.

The World Refugees Day will be celebrated in the presence of United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Flippo Grandi, Ethiopian officials, Ambassadors and representatives of international organizations.

UNHCR decided to mark the day in Ethiopia mainly to express its recognition for the country which is home to over 850,000 refugees.