Official Statements

IOM Repatriates 450 Filipinos from Lebanon

The first group of Filipino migrants to be evacuated by the
International Organization for Migration following the ongoing
conflict in Lebanon arrived in Manila today.

The group of 450 had been flown home by IOM from the Syrian
capital, Damascus, after initially being evacuated from Lebanon in
land convoys on 30-31 July.

"We are very glad these Filipinos have finally reached home. It
has been a difficult experience for them, being caught up in the
middle of a conflict. IOM will continue to help Filipinos and
migrants from other countries who remain stranded in Lebanon and
Syria," said Ida Mae Fernandez, IOM Project Officer.

Their arrival home on an IOM chartered Orient-Thai Airways
flight comes as IOM begins the evacuation of a further 900
conflict-affected Filipinos from Lebanon as of today. Once in
Syria, the Filipinos will be transported back home on two more IOM
charted flights.

The first of these, with a seating capacity of 450, is scheduled
to leave Syria on 3 August and due to arrive in Manila on 4 August.
The second flight, with the same seating capacity, is scheduled to
leave Syria on 5 August, arriving in Manila the next day.

Meanwhile, IOM has intensified its efforts to evacuate and/or
repatriate as many stranded migrants as possible in Lebanon and
Syria after a swift response to an IOM appeal for funds for its
evacuation operation. Eleven million euros (US$ 13.8 m) from the
European Commission and one million dollars from the US government
will allow IOM to provide more than 10,000 stranded migrants with
transport, food, medical care, shelter and repatriation
assistance.

Since its first assistance to stranded migrants in Lebanon on 20
July, IOM has evacuated and/or repatriated more 2,000 people from
Lebanon and Syria. A similar number is expected to be assisted this
week.

In order to help an increasing number of individuals needing
help and unable to reach their embassies or consulates, IOM has set
up a telephone helpline for people to contact. The number is: +961
70 972 520.

For further information, please contact:

Ruffy Villanueva

Tel: +63.2.848.1260 to 63 loc. 194

Mobile : +63.918.4211786

E-mail : "mailto:rvillanueva@iom.int">rvillanueva@iom.int



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