In the periodic instructions to the Egyptians stranded in Ukraine, the Egyptian ambassador said: “The Egyptian embassy is coordinating with the rest of the Arab embassies, so that a collective action is taken as soon as security conditions allow to get all Egyptian citizens and Arab countries stranded in the city of Sumy.
He explained, “The Egyptian embassy has contacted the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Interior in Ukraine and the administration of the city of Sumy to try to find a safe way for the Egyptian citizens stranded in the city to get out, and they confirmed that, unfortunately, the security conditions still do not allow for any evacuations from Tsumi.”
He continued, “The Ukrainian authorities informed them that they are waiting for a humanitarian truce so that they can move to evacuate the citizens, and that everyone should continue to be in their homes and hideouts until the situation stabilizes.”
This comes as the Arab Crisis Cell in Ukraine issued a clarification statement, saying: “Some people exchange information announcing the dates of the Red Cross’s evacuation of the stranded and besieged members of the Arab communities in the city of Sumy, and how surprised we were when we began to receive calls from unknown sources requesting their inclusion in the lists of those wishing to be evacuated. Via cars and buses.
The statement included that: “Accordingly, we confirm that we in the Arab (crisis cell) in Ukraine have never issued any statements specifying dates for the time and method of the evacuation, as this is linked to the International Red Cross Organization and the Ukrainian government, with which we coordinate directly.”
The Arab Crisis Cell in Ukraine said: “We confirm that we have addressed an official letter to the International Red Cross Administration in Ukraine, and it responded with affirmation of its interest in considering the city of Sumy as an urgent and critical situation and that it has priority in evacuation. A list of names that we received from Arab and African communities was presented.”