Philippines suspends OFW deployment in Haiti

MANILA, Philippines – Given the unstable security situation in Haiti, the deployment of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) has been suspended, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said.

“The processing and deployment of both new hires and returning OFWs is temporarily suspended,” the DMW said in a statement.

In Haiti, increasing gang violence has claimed thousands of victims and displaced people. Several areas are threatened by famine.

On June 7, the United Nations Children’s Fund appealed to the international community to prepare Haiti for a dangerous Atlantic hurricane season that could be fatal for the island’s many displaced people.

According to UN estimates, around 360,000 people are on the run in the Caribbean state.

The Philippines has introduced crisis alert level 3 for Haiti. Filipinos are urged to contact the embassy for a voluntary return.

Filipinos in Haiti are advised to remain vigilant and limit non-essential movements.