The first group of Bangladesh airlifted back to Dhaka after fleeing Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon has shared harrowing experiences of living amid constant explosions. On Monday, 54 individuals returned home on a government-backed flight, escaping a conflict that has devastated Lebanon since last month. Many of these returnees had spent years in Lebanon, where up to 100,000 Bangladeshis live and work, primarily in domestic labor and other low-paying jobs.
One of the returnees, 68-year-old Abul Kashem, who had lived in Beirut for nearly 40 years, expressed shock at the intensity of the current conflict, stating that the destruction he witnessed was unlike anything he had experienced before, even during Lebanon’s past wars. His workplace, a gas station, was completely destroyed by the bombardments.
The conflict between Israel and Hezbollah has escalated significantly, with Israel launching air and ground offensives in response to Hezbollah’s attacks, which have displaced thousands on both sides. Mohammad Hossain, 28, who returned with his wife and infant, described the devastation near his home, noting the intense attacks that reduced nearby buildings to rubble.
Many Bangladeshis in Lebanon, like Ruma Khatun, 30, who fled Beirut seeking safety, have now opted to return home due to the deteriorating situation. However, their return presents new challenges, as they face economic uncertainty in Bangladesh. Remittances from workers abroad account for over 5% of Bangladesh’s GDP, and the loss of income from returning workers will have a significant impact on their families.
The Bangladeshi government has pledged to continue repatriating its citizens, with another 65 set to return soon. Despite the relief of escaping the conflict, the returning workers must now confront the challenge of finding work back home amidst the country’s political and economic changes.
