40 from Rajasthan stuck in Sudan, govt promises help

JAIPUR: The state government on Saturday forwarded a list of 40 NRIs from Rajasthan currently stranded in violence-hit Sudan to the ministry of external affairs (MEA) after chief minister Ashok Gehlot expressed concern on their well-being.
The state has also announced helpline numbers for those who need assistance and information.
"Those who require assistance can dial - +918306009838, 0141-2229111 and 011-23070807. Shubhra Singh, the additional chief secretary (coordination)-cum-chief resident commissioner, Bikaner House, has requested the Non-Resident Rajasthanis (NRRs) to dial the numbers provided on social media channels and Rajasthan Foundation website", a government release said.
Sudan has been witnessing deadly fighting between the country's army and a paramilitary group for over a week that has reportedly left around 300 people dead.
Dhiraj Srivastava, the resident commissioner (Bikaner House) in Delhi, and commissioner of Rajasthan Foundation, attended a meeting with MEA officials in New Delhi to discuss the current situation and ensure that all people from Rajasthan in Sudan receive assistance.
"The state government is committed to ensuring the safety of its citizens in the conflict zone and will work with NRR mitras to support those affected by the conflict in Sudan," Srivastava said.
List of people stranded in Sudan given to MEA
A list of 161 stranded persons in Sudan, including 40 from Rajasthan, and their contact numbers have been provided to the MEA.
The Rajasthan government has launched these helpline numbers to provide aid and support to Rajasthani citizens stranded in the African nation during this crisis. The state government had previously provided emergency helpline numbers for Rajasthani diasporas affected by natural disasters such as earthquakes in Turkey and Syria.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday issued directions for the preparation of contingency plans to evacuate Indians from Sudan as he carried out a detailed review of the security situation in the African country at a high-level meeting.