No requests for repatriation from Filipinos in Libya – DFA

In a televised public briefing on Friday, DFA Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega reported that there are still no casualties and missing among the 90 Filipinos living in Derna, Jabel al Akhmatova and Tobruk, which were badly hit by Storm Daniel. (File photo by Lawrence Ruiz – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0)

MANILA – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has not received any request for repatriation from Filipinos in eastern Libya since the deadly floods due to a rainstorm last Sunday.

In a televised public briefing on Friday, DFA Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega reported that there are still no casualties and missing among the 90 Filipinos living in Derna, Jabel al Akhmatova and Tobruk, which were badly hit by Storm Daniel.

“Hindi sila kelangan i-evacuate.

Nilipat sila sa high ground ng mga Libyan employers nila at walang humihingi ng repatriation (They need not be evacuated. They were transferred to higher grounds by their Libyan employers and no one is requesting repatriation),” he said.

“Wala ring nasa shelter, lahat may natutulugan.

Naninirahan sila sa bahay or apartment (None of them is in any shelter. They have a place to sleep in. They are staying in a house or apartment).”

The government and the Philippine Embassy in Libya are ready to help Filipinos who might need financial assistance due to job loss or want to go home to the Philippines, he added.

Meanwhile, in quake-torn Morocco, the Philippine Embassy sent a team to help about 20 Filipinos who have no place to stay in Marrakesh.

“Ayaw nilang bumalik sa apartment nila kase may aftershocks pa. Kinakabahan sila, so binibigyan sila ng food supplies (They don’t want to return to their apartments because of the aftershocks. They get nervous, so we provide them food supplies),” de Vera said.

There are no reported Filipino casualties in Morocco, he added.