Constrained By Aviation Routes, The Philippines Struggles To Evacuate Thousands Of Its Citizens In Lebanon

JAKARTA - The Philippine government is working to arrange flights for hundreds of its citizens in Beirut amid an Israeli military ground invasion of Lebanon on Wednesday, October 1O.

More than 11,000 Filipinos live and work in Lebanon, a sovereign nation that is facing a series of Israeli attacks, including targeting densely populated areas.

Meanwhile in Beirut, hundreds of Filipinos seek refuge at their country's Migrant Workers Office. However, the office area has been affected by Israeli airstrikes since last weekend.

Currently, Filipino workers in Beirut are sheltering at a hotel in the nearby area of Beit Mery City, pending repatriation.

"Currently there are 101 Filipino workers in our shelter who are ready to be sent home," Deputy Minister of the Philippine Migrant Department (DMW), Bernard Olalia told reporters in Manila, quoted by Arab News, Wednesday, October 2.

"The challenge is that we don't have a flight path... We are talking to several airlines so chartered flights will be able to accommodate, for example, no less than 300 Filipino workers abroad from Beirut," he continued.

Olalia said a number of efforts were prepared by the Philippine Government to evacuate its citizens from Lebanon, such as obtaining landing permits and chartered aircraft flights.

"DMW is also studying other possible routes. Apart from air routes, we will assess sea and land routes, if the situation there worsens," he said.

"We have officers in the field. They work around the clock. And we add our staff both in Lebanon (and) the nearest posts to be able to provide the safest evacuation route and ultimately facilitate the repatriation of our migrant workers," he said.

Migrante International, a global alliance of Filipino workers abroad, told Arab News yesterday that Filipinos expressed great concern over their safety in Lebanon.

They are worried about bombings and explosions getting closer to their homes in their communities. So, they are worried about their safety, they are worried about their lives and cannot return home safely to their families, "said Migrante International President Joanna Concepcion.