Mandatory repatriation looms for Filipinos in Ebola-hit countries

Foreign Assistant Secretary Charles Jose. AP FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – Filipinos in West African countries are set to be evacuated due to the continued threat of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said.

“We are preparing for the implementation of mandatory repatriation of Filipinos in Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone in view of the threat posed by EVD,” DFA spokesman Charles Jose said in a statement on Monday.

“It means we will be raising alert level 4 very soon,” Jose said when asked when the repatriation will begin.

There are 880 Filipinos in Guinea, 1,979 Filipinos in Sierra Leone, and 632 Filipinos in Liberia including 148 United Nations peacekeepers who were previously ordered to be brought home.

West Africa is the epicenter of the worst outbreak of Ebola in history with 2,615 total reported cases and more than 1,400 deaths according to the World Health Organization’s latest tally.

Crisis alert level 2 (restriction phase) is currently raised in the three West African countries preventing the deployment of newly hired workers in the region.

RELATED STORIES

Filipino in Togo has flu, not Ebola virus 

Filipino priest opts to stay in Sierra Leone despite Ebola risk