Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 18) — The Department of Foreign Affairs has lowered the alert status in some regions in Ethiopia from level four to two.
The DFA earlier placed the whole Ethiopia under Alert Level 4 as fighting between Tigray forces and Ethiopian troops escalated.
The DFA said Alert Level 4 is “raised when there is large-scale internal conflict or full-blown external attack.” Mandatory evacuation is implemented under such status.
As of Tuesday, Oromia (including the cities of Addis Ababa and Dire Dawa), Somali, Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples Region or SNNPR, Gambella, Harari and South West regions were lowered to level two, the department said.
“Alert Level 2 is issued when there are real threats to the life, security, and property of Filipinos arising from internal disturbance in or external threat to the host country,” DFA said in an advisory.
The DFA also tells Filipinos in these areas to limit non-essential movements, avoid public places, and prepare for evacuation.
The Labor department only allows overseas Filipino workers with existing contracts to return to the said regions, and they are required to provide the following:
-valid Ethiopian residence visa and/or work permit;
-valid employment contract;
-overseas employment certificate;
-guarantee letter from employer stating the provision of the following: repatriation options, medical assistance, and health insurance
-guarantee letter from employer as reflected in the employment contract, or addendum to the agreement, that the Filipino workers will not be deployed to areas under Alert Level 4 (Tigray, Afar, Amhara and Benishangul-Gumuz regions)
Meanwhile, Tigray, Afar, Amhara and Benishangul-Gumuz regions in northern Ethiopia remain under Alert Level 4. Filipinos in these regions are also reminded to restrict non-essential travel, avoid public, and prepare for evacuation.
Those in need of assistance were advised to contact the Philippine Embassy in Cairo, Egypt, through email (cairope.ethiopia@gmail.com), Viber/WhatsApp [(+20) 122 746472], or Facebook (@PHinEgypt). They may also contact the Philippine Honorary Consul in Addis Ababa by email (hc.philippines.aa@gmail.com) or by telephone [(+251) 118 648 752].
