32 Filipinos evacuated from Afghanistan, with more desperate to leave

[ASEAN NOW News]

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) released an advisory announcing the evacuation and repatriation of Filipinos left in Kabul, Afghanistan, even as international news outlets have also reported that the Taliban have taken over the capital.

 

Choas at the airport 

 

As we have all seen the Kabul airport has been overrun by people desperate to get on any plane, and it is uncertain when it will be safe for planes to actually land or take off again.

 

Thirty-two Filipinos lucky have already left Kabul as of yesterday and are in Doha in transit to the Philippines.

 

immigrants rushing to leave

 

“The Department and its Foreign Service Posts in the region and beyond are exploring all avenues of cooperation and are closely coordinating with governments and international partners to guarantee their immediate and safe passage,” reads the advisory.

 

Still 130 Filipinos in Afghanistan

 

Apparently, there are a total of 130 Filipinos in Afghanistan, according to DFA figures.

 

Alert Level 4 has been raised over the country, calling for the mandatory repatriation and immediate repatriation of all Philippine nationals.

 

A group of 19 more Filipinos is also due to leave immediately, read a statement.

 

The ministry said an Alert Level 4 has recently been issued for the whole of Afghanistan due to the uncertain security situation, adding that it is “currently undertaking arrangements for the repatriation of Filipinos still left in Kabul.”

 

SE Asia has many stranded too

 

Indonesia is also working to bring back citizens from Afghanistan.

 

Teuku Faizasyah, a spokesman for the Indonesian Foreign Ministry, told Anadolu Agency that there were 15 Indonesian citizens in Afghanistan and some diplomatic staff.

 

Embassy staff from many countries are being airlifted away by helicopters

 

“The repatriation of some of the non-essential embassy staff, as well as Indonesian citizens, will be done on time,” he said.

 

The Indonesian Embassy in Kabul is still operational and there are no plans to close it, the official said.

 

The Indonesian Foreign Ministry said in a statement that it was hopeful for a political settlement in Afghanistan.

Meanwhile, Vietnam’s Embassy in Kabul said it was making efforts to locate its citizens in Afghanistan.

 

IMPORTANT CONTACT INFORMATION

 

The DFA urges all Filipinos to leave Afghanistan and contact the Philippine Embassy in Pakistan for assistance through the following channels:

 

WhatsApp/Viber: +923335244762

Messenger/Facebook: facebook.com/atnofficers.islamabadpe

 

or facebook.com/OFWHelpPH

EMAIL: [email protected].