DFA: Repatriation of OFWs in Sudan starts next week

THE Department of Foreign Affairs ( DFA) on Friday said it will start next week repatriating Filipinos out of strife-torn Sudan.

Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs Eduardo de Vega admitted that the repatriation process would take time because airport transfers were not possible amid the conflict between the Sudanese military and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

“For the repatriation, we already have authorization [to do that] given proper conditions. It should be land evacuation, not by plane, because the airport is not operational. We hope it can be done next week,” de Vega said, in an interview with GMAnews.

“We will update you as soon as our team is able to enter Sudan. There is power supply and internet connection, and initially, Filipinos there on record are just around 250. Now, it is almost 500 since others were not registered, so we are asking them to reach out to us,” De Vega added.

He also called on Filipinos in Sudan to reach out to Philippine Embassy officials via the contact number +20 122 743 6472 and via the PHinEgypt Facebook messenger account so the embassy can send them proper assistance, particularly food.

“A lot of Filipinos employed by a big company there like DAL are being assisted by the company for their supplies, but it is not the case for others employed in other firms. The advantage for these Filipinos [not employed by a big firm] is that they are located in the same location in significant numbers, like 11 of them reside in the same building. It is easier to locate them,” De Vega said.

“The hotline is available, and the embassy will reach out to you,” he added.