The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is optimistic that all Filipinos trapped in the fighting in Sudan could be repatriated by next week.
Meanwhile, about 320 Philippine nationals fleeing Sudan are currently in safe shelters and hotels in Egypt, awaiting their flights to Manila. Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Migrant Affairs Jose de Vega said in an interview with ABS-CBN.
He added that there were no more Filipinos at the Egypt-Sudan border. “Our goal is they will be home by next week,” De Vega said.
He said more than 50 Filipinos from Port Sudan have already reached Saudi Arabia.
“We are thankful to Saudi Arabia. They were the ones who sent military vessels to evacuate foreign nationals wishing to leave Sudan, De Vega said.
According to De Vega, at least 179 Filipinos have been repatriated from Sudan, leaving an estimated 100 more still trying to find a way out of the strife-torn country.
“But we are making a last call. We appeal to them to contact us. This may be their last chance to get out of harm’s way,” De Vega said,
He disclosed that two buses were scheduled to pick up the Filipinos and bring them to Port Sudan.
However, he said there are still at least 100 Filipinos who remain in Sudan, and that they are making a “last call.”
De Vega also said overseas Filipino workers who wish to find jobs in other countries may no longer be repatriated if they have working visas in their chosen countries.
Hundreds have reportedly died in nearly three weeks of fighting between forces loyal to Sudan’s de facto leader Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, who leads the regular army, and his former deputy-turned-rival Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, who commands the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
There were several attempts to forge a truce between the warring camps since the war broke out last April 15, so far none held on.
