MANILA, Philippines — More than a million overseas Filipino workers in the Middle East are at risk as tensions escalate in the region following recent US-Israel strikes.
According to the Department of Migrant Workers, there are over 1.1 million land-based OFWs in the Middle East. Most are concentrated in five countries closely linked to the conflict: United Arab Emirates (398,000), Saudi Arabia (387,000), Qatar (161,000), Kuwait (106,000), and Bahrain (21,000).
Smaller groups are in Jordan, Oman, Iraq, Palestine, Egypt, Libya, and Syria, as well as higher-risk areas in Israel and Iran.
The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration has advised OFWs to follow safety recommendations from Philippine embassies and local authorities.
The government confirmed the first Filipino casualty from the Middle East conflict: Mary Ann Velasquez de Vera, a caregiver from Pangasinan, who was killed in Israel during Iran’s counterattacks.
The Department of National Defense said the Armed Forces of the Philippines are ready to assist, emphasizing that the protection of Filipino nationals abroad is a top priority.
