Jeddah/New Delhi: Minister of State for External Affairs V K Singh will leave for Saudi Arabia soon to assess the severity of the food crisis faced by nearly 10,000 Indians rendered jobless and will explore their possible return, with Saudi authorities assuring assistance.

Singh will travel to the Gulf nation in the next few days to resolve the crisis, sources said, adding that some of the Indian workers who were laid off from their jobs may prefer to come back to India.

Another Minister of State for External Affairs M J Akbar said Saudi authorities have assured that exit visas of affected Indian workers will be processed and their wage claims considered.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj last night said over 10,000 Indian workers in Saudi Arabia were facing severe food shortage and the government has ordered the Indian mission there to provide food to them besides other assistance.

“Thankful dat Saudi authorities hv assured @IndianEmbRiyadh Exit visas of our Indian workers will be processed Wage claims will be registered,” Akbar said.

“Necessary assistance continues to be provided to our distressed citizens with the heartening support of Indian community in Saudi Arabia,” he said in a series of tweets.

After Swaraj’s instruction last night, thousands of the workers have been provided food by the Indian Consulate in Jeddah. Large number of Indians have lost their jobs in Saudi Arabia in the last few months due to economic slowdown triggered by low oil prices.

“Indian Consulate (Jeddah) and Indian community’s food stuff distribution mission accomplished at 2:45 AM today morning. Kudos to all,” the Indian Consulate in Jeddah tweeted.

“All 5 camps, Shumaisi, Sisten/Macrona, Sojex, Highway, Taif taken care with supply of food materials. An effort of last four days succeeded well,” it said.

As per available details, 2,450 Indians who are in deep crisis due to closure of their companies were provided food and other assistance.

PTI