83 more Afghan evacuees leave Kabul for Finland

The Afghan people, who were in Finnish evacuation list but remained standing there finally managed to get on a flight away from Kabul early Saturday morning in cooperation with the US troops, said the Ministry for Foreign Affairs in a press release.

On Friday, the employees of the company responsible for the security of Finnish Embassy personnel were successfully led inside the gates of Kabul Airport. The total number of these employees and their family members is 83.

The people could be brought following successful close diplomatic contacts and collaboration between the United States and Finland, based on networks created by Finland during the evacuation effort, said the Ministry.

This is the group of 128 individuals on whose evacuation the Finnish Government made a decision at an extraordinary meeting on 24 August.

The total number of evacuees to Finland is now 413 persons.

Earlier, Finland’s relief efforts in Afghanistan ended on 26 August when the Finnish Foreign Ministry´s aid team along with the Finnish troops left for Finland following the deteriorating law and order situation at the Kabul airport.

The Foreign Ministry’s relief team arrived in Finland on Friday night , and the Defence Forces unit returned home on Saturday morning.

The Ministry for Foreign Affairs will continue to provide assistance to Finnish citizens and permanent residents of Finland in Afghanistan to the extent possible.