Dhaka: The government's assistance is only anticipated to start next week, after the expiration of a ceasefire between the two warring factions of Sudan, leaving families of Bangladeshis trapped in that country in fear for their safety.
Since Monday, when the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces and the Sudanese Armed Forces reached a cease-fire agreement, large-scale evacuations of foreign nationals from Sudan have been in progress. More than 500 people have died and at least 4,200 have been hurt in fighting since April 15.
The military and RSF agreed to extend the cease-fire by an additional 72 hours even though it was set to end on Friday.
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Although the fighting hasn't completely stopped due to the ceasefire, thousands of people have been able to flee to safer locations. As Sudan's main airports have turned into battlegrounds, the main routes for evacuation have been overland to Egypt's neighbour and by sea to Saudi Arabia.
Among the nearly 2,800 people saved by Saudi forces were a few Bangladeshis, but the majority of those in Khartoum, the capital of Sudan, registered for assistance with their own embassy, which is still managing aid.
"The stranded Bangladeshis will be bused from Khartoum to (Port Sudan) on May 2, and then they will be taken to Jeddah. Bangladeshi nationals will fly to Dhaka from Saudi Arabia, according to Shah Mohammad Tanvir Monsur, director general of the Bangladeshi Ministry of Foreign Affairs' consular and welfare division.
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700 Bangladeshis, or half of those residing in Sudan as of Thursday night, according to Monsur, have registered for evacuation.
However, because the scheduled date has passed since the current ceasefire's expiration date, anxious families' worries have grown.
Tanjina Akter hasn't heard from her husband Moktar Hossain in a few days. Raipura is about 65 kilometres from Dhaka.
"He was without food, electricity, and water when we last spoke four days ago. My husband and his coworkers were unable to leave their house," Akter said to Arab News.
Nine years have passed since her husband began his career as a professional driver in Khartoum. He was sobbing during our last conversation that he was unable to speak much. We might not hear from him again, he said. My husband described the heavy mortar and gunfire that was going on all around him. He was terrified.
The brother of Monir Hossain, a second Bangladeshi worker in Sudan, Mohammad Zahangir Miah, claimed to have spoken with him and that all the recent news developments were becoming more and more concerning.
"Every day, we watch the television for war updates. On Facebook, my younger brother also posted some images of the devastation caused by war. We were terrified by all of these things. He resides close to the airport in Khartoum. My brother is afraid for his life because of the severe gun attacks that have been made in this area, Miah told Arab News.
Earlier this week, Hossain and a few other Bangladeshis were supposed to travel to Port Sudan, but there was no bus leaving from Khartoum.
They lack food, electricity, and other necessities. We don't know what to do in this circumstance. I beg the government to send my brother back right away," he said.
"We are pleading with the Almighty for his safety at every moment."
