\u201cI have rung SafeTravel twice. They have been lovely, but the advice has been of no use,\u201d she told Newstalk ZB.<\/p>\n
\u201cStay inside or if it\u2019s safe, try and get out. So, a team of [70 and] 80-year-olds with no luggage, no knowledge of the area, and no knowledge of what\u2019s going on, have ended up stuck there.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jones said her family members\u2019 emotions have ranged from calm to terrified. <\/p>\n
\u201cThey have ventured out once and managed to get to a supermarket and get some food.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey are in a situation where everything is at their cost, their insurance doesn\u2019t follow through because it\u2019s a war.\u201d<\/p>\n
She said the trio had no luggage, so they were still wearing the same clothes.<\/p>\n
Jones said her mother, uncle and auntie haven\u2019t received any communication from the New Zealand Government.<\/p>\n
\u201cNot an email, not a message, not an acknowledgement that they are New Zealanders,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Ion and Barbara Quigley and Christine Connolly were flying to Norway when they became stranded in Doha during a layover. Photo \/ Anna Jones<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not good enough. They\u2019re of that older generation, even getting confirmation from the New Zealand Government that they know they\u2019re there would be meaningful for them.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jones is researching whether the trio could cross the border into Saudi Arabia and fly out from Riyadh.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe haven\u2019t managed to get the visas and it looks like that border may be closed now.\u201d<\/p>\n
She said the experience has been distressing.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019re go-getters, but they\u2019re not up for intrepid travel like this.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have been sitting here with my sister and my cousin, and our thoughts have been \u2018get out\u2019, but they don\u2019t have any luggage, they don\u2019t know how to get there, they don\u2019t know what to do.<\/p>\n
\u201cTrying to put things in place for them from this distance away is very difficult.\u201d<\/p>\n
A Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MAFT) spokesperson told Newstalk ZB the advice for New Zealanders in the region was to leave if it was safe to do so.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe understand the stress and worry many will be experiencing, especially those New Zealand families who are worried about their loved ones overseas,\u201d they said.<\/p>\n
\u201cNew Zealanders who are in locations where airspace is closed or the security situation means it is unsafe to move, should shelter in place and follow the advice of the local authorities.\u201d<\/p>\n
The spokesperson said MFAT was exploring all options to support New Zealanders in the region and was in close contact with other governments on their plans.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe reality is that airspace remains closed across large parts of the Middle East. This is preventing planes from arriving into the region. The quickest way for New Zealanders to return home will be commercial flights once they resume.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe advise New Zealanders to keep in contact with their airlines, travel agents and insurers so that they can use commercial travel as soon as it is safe and possible to do so. We urge all New Zealanders in the region to register with SafeTravel.\u201d <\/p>\n