*Sierra Leone Airports Authority provides seamless Facilitation*On Thursday 15th October, 2020, 99 repatriated Sierra Leoneans from Niger arrived at the Freetown International Airport onboard the Smartwing Airlines. The successful repatriation was as a result of the collaborative effort of the Government of Sierra Leone and the International Organization for Migration (IOM), a related organization of the United Nations (UN).
Upon their arrival at the Freetown International Airport, they were received by the Deputy Minister of Social Welfare, Gender and Children Affairs, *Hon. Tejan Kellah* together with officials from *NACOVERC,* and the *Sierra Leone Airports Authority*. The Deputy Minister welcomed and briefed them on the mandatory Security and Health Protocols they would have to go through both at the Airport and at their final destination in Benguma, Freetown. *”As a Government, we collaborated with IOM and intervened for a repatriation process which will safegurd and protect their human rights. We had to make sure that they returned home in a safe and dignified manner , whilst securing the Health and safety of Sierra Leone”* Hon Kella explained.
Ninty nine repatriated adults which had 98 males, and a female , appreciated the Government of Sierra Leone and kept singing the home sweet home songs upon arrival .
The supervision and assistance from the Sierra Leone Airports Authority ensured a seamless facilitation of the returnees, as they went through all the Airport Security Checks and Health Screening Protocols which includes; Port Health COVID -19 Checks, Immigration Admission, and Custom Formalities by NRA.
During the Operation, *Mr. Lawrence B. Conteh,* Head of Operations – SLAA took the mantle of responsibility as Airport Lead Coordinator in ensuring that they are in full compliance with the COVID 19 flight resumption protocols, at the Freetown International Airport . 
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