PH raises alert level 3 in Haiti due to ‘unstable security’

DFA Building. (Photo: Department of Foreign Affairs, Republic of the Philippines/Facebook)

MANILA – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Tuesday has placed Haiti under crisis alert level 3 due to the current “unstable security situation.”

Under said under the alert level, Filipinos are urged to voluntarily leave while deployment of new and returning Filipinos to Haiti are effectively prohibited.

At present, there are at least 169 recorded Filipinos in Haiti, with majority residing in Port-au-Prince.

“Filipinos living in Haiti are advised to remain vigilant, to avoid public places, and to restrict non-essential movement,” the DFA said.

The situation remains unstable in Haiti following the resignation of Prime Minister Ariel Henry, the United Nations reported.

The UN said airport, schools and health facilities remain closed in the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area, which is also beset with rampant gang violence.

According to United Nations agency International Organization for Migration, some 362,000 people are displaced in Haiti, including 15,000 newly homeless in Port-au-Prince.

Filipinos are encouraged to contact the Embassy for repatriation through its Assistance-to-Nationals Section at atn@phembassy-us.org, 202 467 9382 or 202 769 8049.

They may also reach out to the Migrant Workers’ Office at mwo_washingtondc@dmw.gov.ph or washington@owwa.gov.ph, 202 467 9426 or 202 467 9413.

Philippine Honorary Consul in Haiti Fitzgerald Brandt may also be contacted at (509) 3753 4622 or consul.brandt@gmail.com.