10 distressed Pinoys in Lebanon repatriated
FOR so long, Jane (not her real name) faced each day in Lebanon like an animal constantly terrified of being snared by hunters. She agonized more over what would happen to her three children if she were caught by the authorities. She is an undocumented alien.
Thanks to the Philippine Embassy in Lebanon, Jane’s torment is over. She was among the 10 distressed Filipino nationals repatriated recently, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Monday.
Six of those repatriated were adult female workers and four were minors.
The Embassy repatriated a total of 22 distressed nationals in the third quarter of this year.
The repatriates expressed their gratitude for the Embassy’s assistance during these trying times in Lebanon.
Like other undocumented migrants in Lebanon, Jane had to brave the daily struggles of making a living along with raising her three kids.
Close to 4,000 OFWs from Lebanon have been repatriated since the onset of the pandemic and the crisis in the country.
The Embassy emphasizes the importance of prioritizing the assistance to undocumented workers and their children, being the most vulnerable to the negative impacts of the country’s socioeconomic conditions.
In coordination with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), repatriates will be provided with quarantine accommodation and onward flights to their respective hometown in the Philippines.
With around 17,000 Filipino remaining in Lebanon, the Embassy continuously offers individual exit clearance endorsements for undocumented and distressed Filipino workers, along with other forms of assistance.
