THE Department of Foreign Affairs yesterday lowered the alert status in some regions in Ethiopia from level four to two, meaning Filipinos in these regions are restricted from non-essential movements, avoid public places and prepare for evacuation, if necessary.
The DFA, in an advisory to Filipinos last year, said Ethiopia was under Alert Level 4 as fighting between Tigray People’s Liberation Front forces and Ethiopian troops escalated.
Under the four-tier alert system, Alert Level 4 is “raised when there is large-scale internal conflict or full-blown external attack.” Mandatory evacuation is also implemented under alert level four.
In the same advisory, the DFA said the regions of Tigray, Afar, Amhara and Benishangul-Gumuz in northern Ethiopia remain under Alert Level 4.
Covered by the de-escalation of the alert status are the regions of Oromia, including Dire Dawa and Ethiopia’s capital Addis Ababa, Somali, Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples Region or SNNPR, Harari, Gambella and South West.
“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,” the DFA said in an advisory.
The DFA said only Filipino workers with existing contracts to return to the affected regions will be allowed and they are required to provide a valid Ethiopian residence visa and/or work permit plus other papers.
The DFA added that those in need of assistance may 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,” the DFA said.
There are about 800 Filipinos in Ethiopia, mostly working as technical and vocational instructors, and international civil servants. Some are also spouses of Ethiopians.
