Question NW903 to the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation
30 March 2022 - NW903
Hlengwa, Mr M to ask the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation
In light of media reports that the South African non- governmental organisation, Gift of the Givers, has personnel on the ground in Ukraine providing emergency relief, supplies and medical assistance and raising funds to repatriate South African students who want to return to the Republic, what practical support, besides the notice on her department’s website providing details of the South African Embassy in Kyviv, is her department providing to South African citizens in Ukraine?
Reply:
DIRCO has been monitoring developments in consultation with the Head of Mission, at the South African Embassy in the Ukraine prior to the evacuation of the South African citizens. The Embassy created a WhatsApp group for all the South African citizens to register to enable the Embassy to keep them updated on developments. The Head of Mission has been active on the group and His Excellency has been in constant communication with the South African citizens on developments and advising them to leave Ukraine considering the growing threat.
The Head of Mission negotiated the safe passage for South African citizens through Poland, Romania and Hungary which citizens used and a number of them were able to return to South Africa. DIRCO is pleased to report that no casualties or fatalities were reported. The South African Missions in Poland and Hungary were proactive in assisting South African citizens as they arrived in the respective countries.