Aid given to Filipino victims of Houthi attack–DSWD

Eleven of the 13 Filipino crewmen who survived Houthi rebels’ missile attack on their ship returned to the Philippines on Tuesday. Photo by Zeus Legaspi/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said on Wednesday that it has provided assistance to the Filipino seafarers who fell victims to a missile attack by the rebel group Houthi in the Gulf of Aden.

The attack on March 6 killed two Filipino crew members of the bulk carrier M/V True Confidence. Thirteen other Filipino seafarers survived the attack; two of them were wounded and are scheduled to return to the country on Thursday.

READ: 2 Filipino sailors killed, 2 severely hurt in Houthi missile attack

“The DSWD expresses its heartfelt condolences to the families of the two Filipino seafarers who perished in the tragic incident,” DSWD Assistant Secretary Romel Lopez said.

According to the DSWD, it has given P10,000 to the mother of one of the two seafarers, while the family of the other seafarer will also receive aid.

READ: 11 Filipino survivors of Houthi attack on ship back in PH

The eleven other crew members, who arrived back in Manila on Tuesday, were also given P20,000 cash and food assistance, the DSWD added.

“The DSWD recognizes the challenges faced by the survivors and their families and is dedicated to offering assistance and support throughout the recovery process,” Lopez added.