Baguio City, Philippines – At least five Cordillerans who were among the 340 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) affected by the power struggle between military factions in Sudan were given financial aid.
The clashes between the regular army and members of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in said country of Northeast Africa erupted on April 15. Those in Sudan have been facing tensions due to the long feud between the rebel groups and the government.
In 2019, authoritarian President Omar al-Bashir was overthrown, and with a joint committee known as the Sovereign Council, the civilians, and military leaders run the country.
With disagreements on the country’s ruling, there had been attempted coups. The plan to include 100,000 RSF into the army is the main sticking point, reports say.
The redeployment of RSF around the country in the middle of April this year was perceived by the army as a threat, causing intense firefights, and killing hundreds of civilians, according to the World Health Organization.
The data released by the United Nations revealed that over 1.3 million people were forced to flee the country with continuous fighting.
Affected Filipinos safely repatriated
Filipinos affected by the violent power struggle are being repatriated by batch.
On May 09, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration – Cordillera provided P50,000 financial assistance to an OFW from Magsaysay, Tabuk City who worked as a nurse in Sudan for 10 years. The cash aid is part of the Emergency Repatriation Fund.
On May 15, two more OFW - Household Service Workers from Bauko, Mt. Province, and Baguio City got the same amount of assistance. Both OFWs had been in Sudan for 15 to 16 years, reported OWWA–Baguio.
Moreover, two other OFWs also from Bauko, Mt. Province, and another from Buguias, Benguet were given cash aid on May 22. The two recipients, who are also siblings, worked in Sudan for 3 years and the other, 17 years.
“The OWWA-CAR remains committed to the welfare and well-being of OFWs, especially in times of crisis and distress. Through its various programs and services, the agency continues to prioritize the protection, welfare, and empowerment of Filipino Migrant Workers, providing them with the necessary support to navigate challenging situations overseas and facilitate their successful reintegration into their local communities,” OWWA – Cordillera said in a statement.
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