Filipino Seafarers Safely Repatriated Amid Houthi Attacks in Red Sea

The first group of Filipino crew members from the SW Northwind Vessel 1 have safely returned to the Philippines with the assistance of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA). This group, consisting of 14 seafarers, received financial aid, as well as food and transportation allowances. The vessel had been targeted multiple times by Houthi rebels in the Red Sea, with the most recent attack occurring 57 nautical miles south of Aden on 22 August, resulting in two reported explosions. The Houthis have carried out over 70 attacks, sinking two vessels and seizing and killing at least three seafarers.

In addition to the crew members from the SW Northwind Vessel 1, 99 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from Kuwait and Lebanon have also been repatriated. This includes 79 individuals from Kuwait and 20 from Lebanon, five of whom were dependents. The repatriates are eligible for government support, as well as a total financial assistance of P150,000 from the Department of Migrant Workers and OWWA. The Department of Foreign Affairs has noted that approximately 11,000 Filipinos remain in Lebanon, some of whom are undocumented.

The repatriation efforts highlight the ongoing challenges faced by Filipino workers in conflict zones and the importance of government support in ensuring their safe return home. The assistance provided by OWWA and other government agencies is crucial in helping these individuals navigate difficult situations and reunite with their families in the Philippines.

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