OFWs told to leave Yemen

By Cristina Lee-Pisco

Manila- Mar 10, 2011- The Department of Foreign Affairs advised overseas Filipino workers based in Yemen to stay alert, limit their movements and to voluntarily depart due to escalating tensions there.

DFA Undersecretary for Administration Rafael E. Seguis said they raised the alert level from 1 (heightened alertness) to 2 (restriction of movements) following the recommendation of the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh.

“We are hopeful that the political situation will stabilize. Nonetheless, precautionary measures necessary to assure the safety of our Filipinos in Yemen are set,” Seguis said.

The situation also led other countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Germany and Indonesia to adopt travel advisories against Yemen,.

“We ask them (OFWs) to actively monitor ongoing developments, keep communications lines open with the Embassy in Riyadh and inform Filipino community coordinators assigned in their area of their whereabouts,” Seguis said.

The OFWs were advised to keep an emergency bag and their documents and money ready. The bag should contain clothing, water, canned goods and medicines good for two weeks consumption for themselves and their family.

There are around 2,000 Filipinos in Yemen.

Source: OFW