Dakar, Oct. 18, 2024 – Senegal has begun repatriating dozens of its citizens from Lebanon as the deepening economic crisis in the Middle Eastern country pushes more people into dire conditions. Fleeing hyperinflation, unemployment, and deteriorating living standards, many Senegalese workers in Lebanon say they had no choice but to return home, leaving behind shattered dreams.
The Senegalese government confirmed that 78 nationals arrived in Dakar on Thursday, marking the first group of an ongoing evacuation plan. Among those returning are migrant workers who lost their jobs or were abandoned by employers unable to pay wages. Senegal’s Foreign Ministry described the situation as a “humanitarian crisis” and said it is working with local organizations to bring back more citizens stranded in Lebanon.
A Lifeline Cut Short
Many Senegalese, particularly women employed as domestic workers, have long migrated to Lebanon in search of better opportunities. However, Lebanon’s financial collapse—triggered by political instability, soaring inflation, and banking sector failures—has left these workers vulnerable, unpaid, and without access to basic services.
“Everything is lost,” said Aissatou Ndiaye, a 32-year-old domestic worker who spent five years in Lebanon. “I came here to help my family, but now I have nothing to show for it. My employers stopped paying me months ago.”
With Lebanon’s local currency in free fall, many migrant workers found themselves unable to afford food, rent, or tickets back home. Some had to live in shelters or rely on charity groups, while others reported facing abuse from employers.
Abandoned and Vulnerable
The economic crisis has hit migrant workers particularly hard, as Lebanon’s collapsing labor market left thousands unemployed. For many Senegalese workers, the struggle was compounded by the kafala system—a controversial sponsorship scheme that binds migrants to their employers, limiting their ability to change jobs or leave the country.
“Some of us were abandoned without food, without pay, without hope,” said one returning worker. “We were treated as if we didn’t exist.”
Human rights groups have long criticized the exploitative conditions under the kafala system, and the Lebanese government has faced growing pressure to reform labor laws. However, with the state itself crippled by economic paralysis, little progress has been made.
Senegal Steps In to Rescue Citizens
In response to the growing crisis, the Senegalese government announced a coordinated evacuation program, with more flights expected in the coming weeks. Foreign Minister Aïssata Tall Sall emphasized the importance of ensuring that returning citizens receive support as they reintegrate into their communities.
“We will not abandon our compatriots in this time of need,” Sall said. “We are working with partners to provide immediate assistance and long-term solutions to those affected by the crisis.”
The government has partnered with local NGOs to offer housing, food assistance, and counseling services to the returnees. However, Senegal faces its own economic challenges, raising concerns about how effectively it can absorb a large influx of returnees seeking jobs and stability.
A Crisis with Regional Impact
The repatriation from Lebanon highlights the broader impact of the country’s collapse on migrant workers from across West Africa and Asia. Thousands of migrants from Ethiopia, the Philippines, Ghana, and other nations are similarly stranded in Lebanon, many living in precarious conditions.
Experts warn that the economic turmoil in Lebanon, combined with the lack of coordinated international support, could spark a humanitarian crisis among vulnerable migrant communities. Some have called on the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to step up evacuation efforts.
“The situation in Lebanon is spiraling out of control, and migrant workers are among the hardest hit,” said an IOM spokesperson. “Governments need to act fast to protect their citizens.”
Uncertain Future for Returnees
While many returnees express relief at leaving Lebanon, their future in Senegal remains uncertain. For Ndiaye, who sent most of her earnings back to her family, rebuilding her life will be difficult.
“I left Senegal to build a better future. Now I’m back with nothing,” she said. “It feels like starting from zero.”
As the repatriation program continues, Senegal’s government faces the dual challenge of providing immediate humanitarian aid and creating long-term opportunities for the returnees. For now, those arriving home carry stories of hardship, survival, and the painful realization that the dream of opportunity abroad has slipped away.