At the picket action and dialogue with the DFA on October 10, migrant families and advocates presented a ten-point manifesto to call for the immediate and safe rescue of all Filipino nationals from Lebanon:
We, Filipino migrant workers in Lebanon, and our families in the Philippines are deeply concerned about the escalating conflict in Lebanon. We fear for our safety and well-being. We are traumatized by the bombings and explosions, and we need immediate support and assistance.
Therefore, we urgently appeal to President Marcos Jr., the Department of Foreign Affairs, and the Department of Migrant Workers to:
- Release and execute an urgent, comprehensive blueprint for the facilitation of mass rescue, evacuation, and repatriation of Filipino nationals in Lebanon and other countries in the Middle East affected by the ongoing war and conflict.
- Secure chartered flights dedicated to bringing Filipinos and their dependents safely back home to the Philippines and secure ground vehicles in Lebanon to transport Filipinos to safe evacuation centers, temporary shelters, or the Philippine Embassy.
- Increase the number of ground personnel who can conduct rescue operations and provide various forms of welfare assistance, such as medical.
- Expand the capacity of temporary shelters to accommodate more distressed Filipinos awaiting repatriation or seeking refuge. Allow residents of shelters to access communication to their families and loved ones.
- Push for diplomatic talks with the Lebanese government to remove the exit clearance requirement and coordinate ground efforts to ensure swift and safe passage of Filipinos in conflict areas.
- Proactive and regular information dissemination on important developments in Lebanon, locations of evacuation centers and safe zones, and updates on the PH government’s evacuation and repatriation efforts.
- Ensure 24/7 operations of the hotlines of the PH Embassy and Migrant Workers Office in Lebanon. Extend the hours of operation of the PH Embassy to Saturday and Sunday.
- Assist OFWs who have been abandoned or held hostage by their employers, those who do not have their passports and other travel documents.Provide jobs, livelihood support, and financial assistance for returning Filipino migrant workers in the Philippines.
- Call on the government of Israel to stop the bombings and the planned invasion of Lebanon, its attacks against Syria and Iran, and the occupation of Palestine and the genocide of the Palestinian people. These threaten the escalation of war in the Middle East and endanger the lives of OFWs, other migrant workers, and other peoples.
See also: https://migranteinternational.org/migrante-to-dfa-on-filipinos-in-lebanon/
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