A group of passengers walks across the airport apron after arriving on an Ethiopian Airlines aircraft. Photo: UG Bulletin

NNA News - Ethiopia has repatriated more than 98,900 nationals from Saudi Arabia since September 2025, as the government continues an organised programme to return citizens living in difficult conditions abroad.

The latest operation brought 2,463 Ethiopians back from Saudi Arabia, according to the Ethiopian Ministry of Women and Social Affairs. The group included 2,462 men and one woman, with 57 people under the age of 18. The repatriation programme began on Sept. 15, 2025, and has involved successive operations to return Ethiopians from Saudi Arabia.

The ministry said returning citizens are receiving assistance at airports and temporary accommodation centres, while government agencies and humanitarian partners work to provide care and reunite them with their families. The latest arrivals come only a week after another group of 2,494 Ethiopians was repatriated from Saudi Arabia. That group included 2,312 men, 163 women and 19 infants.

The continuing operations have brought the total number of Ethiopians returned from Saudi Arabia to more than 98,900, bringing the programme close to the 100,000 mark. The government has also been carrying out public awareness campaigns on the risks associated with irregular migration and human trafficking, particularly among people considering journeys to Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries.

The route through the Horn of Africa and Yemen has exposed migrants to significant risks, including trafficking, exploitation, detention and the dangers associated with crossing areas affected by conflict. Ethiopia has in recent months also intensified efforts to address trafficking networks facilitating irregular migration to Saudi Arabia. In July, Ethiopian authorities announced the arrest of suspected members of a trafficking network accused of smuggling thousands of people through Djibouti and Yemen.

For those already returned, however, the challenge extends beyond getting home. The government and humanitarian partners are providing temporary assistance while working on family reunification and rehabilitation. The scale of the programme means that the longer-term reintegration of tens of thousands of returnees remains an important part of the response.

Passengers arrive at an airport after disembarking from an Ethiopian Airlines aircraft, with airport personnel assisting them. Photo: African Insider

The latest repatriation also comes amid continued diplomatic engagement between Ethiopia and Saudi Arabia over the welfare and return of Ethiopian nationals. The government has described the programme as part of a broader citizen-centred diplomatic approach, with the protection and welfare of Ethiopians abroad among its priorities.

With more than 98,900 people now repatriated since the programme began, further operations could soon take the number of returnees beyond 100,000.