LAST UK MILITARY FLIGHT DEPARTS PORT SUDAN
In the early hours of Thursday morning a Royal Air Force C130 Hercules lifted off from Port Sudan International Airport, destined for Cyprus. Arriving in Larnaca at sunrise, there was an overwhelming sense of relief. British Nationals are now on the final part of a long and dangerous journey to flee violent conflict.
People have been making their way to the UK Emergency Handling Centre in Port Sudan steadily over the last week. From here they have returned to the UK via Cyprus on Royal Air Force Aircraft.
A UK based Doctor who wished to remain anonymous spoke of being with his family in Sudan when fighting broke out. Like many people who found themselves in the centre of an indiscriminate conflict, he was visiting family for the Eid celebration. He said; “we all get together during Eid, it is an important family time”. He continued to talk about the toll that the experience had taken on him “I have never experienced anything like this in my life, it is like nothing else…It really has been very traumatic, I will be seeing my GP when I get back to seek professional advice, I think it is healthy to get some support, everyone has been through a lot.” He urged others that have had similar experiences to do the same. Commenting on his arrival at the Emergency Handling Facility “It has been really comforting to see the UK presence here, the Rapid Deployment Team and the Military, helping and assisting where possible, I am very grateful.”