MFA: 15 Moldovan citizens requested consular assistance in the Middle East
More than 100 citizens of the Republic of Moldova in the Middle East have reached out to diplomatic missions for consular assistance or information, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA).
According to the institution, the Embassy of the Republic of Moldova in the State of Israel received the most requests for consular assistance, with eight citizens seeking support.
The Embassy of the Republic of Moldova in the State of Qatar, which is also accredited for Kuwait, registered five requests, comprising four from Qatar and one from Kuwait.
In the United Arab Emirates, two Moldovan citizens requested consular assistance regarding accommodation, and the issues were successfully resolved. Additionally, the embassy in Abu Dhabi, which is also responsible for Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, received 96 phone calls that did not require consular intervention. These calls primarily sought information on security measures, the airspace situation, and other operational clarifications.
Tensions in the Middle East have severely disrupted air traffic, leaving several Moldovan citizens stranded in Israel, the United Arab Emirates, and other countries in the region where airspace has been closed. Currently, travellers can take a bus from Israel to Egypt, from where they can find flights to other destinations.
Representatives of the "Eugen Doga" International Airport in Chișinău have announced the cancellation of several flights to Dubai and Tel Aviv, urging passengers to continuously check the status of their flights.
In the United Arab Emirates, authorities in Dubai and Abu Dhabi have requested that hotels extend the stays of tourists unable to leave. Additionally, in Abu Dhabi, the costs of accommodation for stranded guests will be covered by the local authorities.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs states that the Crisis Cell is continuously monitoring developments and reiterates its call for calm, vigilance, and information from official sources only.
According to official data, approximately 13,000 citizens of the Republic of Moldova reside in Israel, while about 1,250 live in the United Arab Emirates.
