Thread by @Marthinolly

#Thread

My friend got in Addis yesterday night and shared with me the quarantine measures at the airport and her experience:
1/n

She flew Emirates & passengers were given a declaration form ( @flyethiopian ) to fill out that they agree to pay USD 1,750 as seen in the photo.
+ NO OTHER HOTEL OPTION listed 2/

The flight had a lot of domestic workers from Dubai who were from different regions of #Ethiopia. The form was only in English. Some couldn't understand what was written down. Most of them in the plane refused to sign it because it was a lot of money. 3/

After arrival, those who could afford Skylight paid (mostly foreigners)The rest were told they couldn't leave the airport unless they paid. In her words,"Airport people said it is not our problem, immigration reps said it is the airports job & MOH reps said they can do nothing"4/

More than 7hrs passed with no solution & the reps had to leave because it was 6pm. People were crying. It was a mess but no officials came to calm the madness & @flyethiopian kept saying skylight or no leaving the airport.5/

They finally agreed to add more hotels. $60/night being the "cheapest", and those who couldn't afford were put in line outside the airport for an hour to be taken to Bole High school with no further information on the situation. Is there access to water, shower? No info given 6/

^^ Lists of hotels provided to passengers. Prices confirmed from my friend who arrived in Addis on March 25th. This information has also been obtained by directly calling hotels. You can confirm these prices yourselves too 7/

They were taken to stay in classrooms - 4 people/class - to sleep on a mattress on the floor. Passengers were stuck at the airport for more than 11hrs 8/

I am just so heartbroken by all of this! Can we suggest solutions if the government applies them & put humanity first?

#Hotels

- Why can't we add more hotels with affordable prices? Guest houses with bids if need be. 9/

#Safety

- How are we protecting the most vulnerable - children & women in these schools? can we have police officers protect them in different shifts? 10/

#Hygiene

- Can we get mobile showers for people during their stay? we need to involve stakeholders on this.

We are exposing them to more issues in the name of prevention. 11/

It's an emergency response but CAN WE AS A NATION SWALLOW OUR PRIDE & ask for help from individuals & civil societies? why do we keep failing citizens when we can look for solutions together? /End
@TakeleUma @FMoHealth
@AbiyAhmedAli @DrSenait @DrTedros @SahleWorkZewde

@winnonos @aklile_solomon @BlenaSahilu @Selam_Mussie @MooniraAbdm @EthioPhenomenal @MajiHailemariam @DrWubrest @azeb_alemu @YetenaW @tirsity @MahletAlemayeh7