Skopje, 16 August 2021 (MIA) – All Macedonian nationals registered in Afghanistan are safe and efforts are under way to evacuate them immediately. The government of North Macedonia is closely following the situation in Afghanistan and is in constant and thorough coordination with NATO allies, primarily with the United States, it said in a press release Monday. The government, it added, is also in direct communication with the companies that have hired Macedonian nationals registered in Afghanistan. “Several options for evacuation flights and for their arrival in North Macedonia have been provided. We have been informed that all our registered citizens are safe and not in a life-threatening situation,” said the press release. As regards the country’s readiness to temporary host Afghans fleeing their country, the authorities are coordinating and establishing details to shelter six women and children, employees or members of families of people working for the UN Mission to Afghanistan, as well as 180 citizens, including women and children, who are employees or family members of humanitarian organizations, human rights organizations, media outlets or other organizations that have been engaged in preserving peace in Afghanistan in the past 20 years, according to the government. “Departure time of the flights for these citizens from Afghanistan cannot be yet confirmed having in mind the complex situation at the Kabul airport, but they are expected to arrive in coming days. The humanitarians, human rights organizations staff members and their families are planned to land at the Skopje airport before being sent to 14-day quarantine as a way to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The Health Ministry will organize vaccination sites for those who are not vaccinated,” said the press release. The government, it said, makes efforts to provide accommodation in motels and hotels and accommodation costs will be covered by international organizations and the United States. Accommodation and the takeover will be temporary until an agreement is concluded on their transfer to the United States or to third countries in coordination with strategic partners and international organization, it explained further. All necessary operational and administrative matters regarding North Macedonia’s involvement in the international humanitarian mission to pull out Afghan citizens will be discussed and adequate decisions will be made by the government at coming sessions, including tomorrow’s session. “The whole democratic world is showing solidarity with the local Afghan population facing humanitarian disaster. North Macedonia as a NATO member will take responsibility as show of solidarity to host civilians from Afghanistan, who have worked on peace in the country in the past 20 years as local support to NATO allies, including our army,” the government stated in the press release.