Task Force processes evacuees on the Libya-Egypt border

From Ken Sackey, GNA Special Correspondent, Salloum

Salloum, Egypt, March 11, GNA - The Evacuation Liaison Team has processed all Ghanaians who were stranded at Salloum on the Libya-Egypt border and the arrivals have reduced to a mere trickle. "We have cleared them all from the border. Today (Friday), 156 left for Cairo. Out of this 80 are expected to fly home tomorrow (Saturday) while the Ghana Embassy in Cairo is arranging for flights for the rest," the leader of the Task Force, Mr Clarence Hugh-Tamakloe told Ghana News Agency.

He said three Ghanaians who arrived after the 156 had left for Cairo were being processed and they would leave with the next team adding that arrivals were between 10 and 15 persons a day. "We are looking at the frequency of arrivals and will decide on the next line of action," Mr Hugh-Tamakloe said. The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) has been of tremendous assistance to the Ghana Embassy in the evacuation of the Ghanaians who thronged the border with other nationals at the start of an attempt by rebels to oust Libya's veteran leader Mouammar Khadafi. IOM helped to provide food, secure transport and flights for the Ghanaians and other nationals.

At a point, the Task Force have priority of women, children, the aged and the sick among them.

The majority of Ghanaians were artisans and construction workers, although there were also a number of women and children. The medical team attached to the Task Force identified hypertension as one of the most worrying illnesses among the evacuees. The medical officials also treated the evacuees of diarrhoea, bilharzia, bodily pains, hypertension and urinary tract infection. The government announced the establishment of an Evacuation Liaison Post at Salloum to coordinate the evacuation of Ghanaian citizens from Libya.

The six-member team includes medical personnel from the 37 Military Hospital, personnel from the National Security and a journalist from the Ghana News Agency. The team is to augment an advance party from the Ghana Embassy in Cairo already at the border.