Four more Pinoys exit to safety from Sudan
By Raymund Antonio and Raymund Antonio
Published May 6, 2023 05:15 am
Four Filipinos were assisted in reaching safe ground in Saudi Arabia after their evacuation from the war in Khartoum that has so far displaced more than 330,000 people.
The Filipinos arrived at the King Faisal Naval Base on Thursday, May 4, in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia from Port Sudan, which had become a refuge for those wanting to flee Sudan’s violence.
Filipinos repatriates arrive at the King Faisal Naval Base in Jeddah from Port Sudan. (Photo courtesy of the Department of Foreign Affairs)
They arrived on board the passenger ship Amana and stayed in a hotel in Jeddah while awaiting repatriation. Both the ship and hotel accommodation were provided for by the Saudi government.
The three Filipino male evacuees are expected to arrive in Manila today, May 6, while the female evacuee proceeded to Doha, Qatar to join her Sudanese husband.
Upon arrival at the naval base, they were met by Philippine Consul General to Jeddah Edgar Tomas Auxilian and his, wife Dr. Maria Vita Auxilian, Vice Consul Jeremiah Attento.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Embassy in Egypt posted several instructions for Filipinos as it is currently coordinating transportation to evacuate Filipinos from Khartoum to Port Sudan.
“We strongly urge all kababayans in Sudan to join the Embassy-coordinated transportation to Port Sudan. The Embassy will contact everyone (by phone, FB Messenger or WhatsApp) on the exact date, time and consolidation area, once arrangements are final,” it wrote on Facebook.
“The buses will only be available at a designated pickup point because these are the rules of the bus providers. Filipinos therefore cannot be picked up at the place of their choice, but must proceed themselves to the pickup point,” it added.
The embassy discouraged Filipinos from using the land border crossing to Egypt.
“The Philippine Embassy does not recommend anymore that Filipinos evacuate Sudan through the Sudan-Egypt borders specifically the Qushtal/Ashkeet Land Port (via Wadi Halfa) and Argeen Land Port,” the advisory read.
It also advised against traveling to Egypt independently because “the issuance of Egyptian visa on arrival is not available for Filipino passport holders at this time” and “there will be limited support that the Philippine Embassy can extend to visa applicants during this time, and that is why we are using now the Port Sudan route for evacuation.”
Those who will insist on this route must first proceed to the Consulate of Egypt in Wadi Halfa and apply for appropriate visa, which would cost $25.
Filipinos who would like to avail of the embassy-sponsored buses must first send clear copies of their passport to [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]), and provide with the following information: full name (as indicated in the passport), phone number, is your passport and residence visa valid? (Yes/No); and name and contact details of the next-of-kin in the Philippines.
“Do not ride the bus without first notifying the Embassy. You must register in advance, or else there may be no seats for you,” the advisory warned.
Some 53 Filipinos were already evacuated from Port Sudan bound to Jeddah.
Other 97 Filipinos are still waiting for repatriation from Sudan and they will be using Port Sudan as their exit point in going to Jeddah.
Violence in Sudan started after fighting broke out between the Sudanese army and its rival paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Khartoum on April 15.
Filipinos repatriates arrive at the King Faisal Naval Base in Jeddah from Port Sudan. (Photo courtesy of the Department of Foreign Affairs)
They arrived on board the passenger ship Amana and stayed in a hotel in Jeddah while awaiting repatriation. Both the ship and hotel accommodation were provided for by the Saudi government.
The three Filipino male evacuees are expected to arrive in Manila today, May 6, while the female evacuee proceeded to Doha, Qatar to join her Sudanese husband.
Upon arrival at the naval base, they were met by Philippine Consul General to Jeddah Edgar Tomas Auxilian and his, wife Dr. Maria Vita Auxilian, Vice Consul Jeremiah Attento.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Embassy in Egypt posted several instructions for Filipinos as it is currently coordinating transportation to evacuate Filipinos from Khartoum to Port Sudan.
“We strongly urge all kababayans in Sudan to join the Embassy-coordinated transportation to Port Sudan. The Embassy will contact everyone (by phone, FB Messenger or WhatsApp) on the exact date, time and consolidation area, once arrangements are final,” it wrote on Facebook.
“The buses will only be available at a designated pickup point because these are the rules of the bus providers. Filipinos therefore cannot be picked up at the place of their choice, but must proceed themselves to the pickup point,” it added.
The embassy discouraged Filipinos from using the land border crossing to Egypt.
“The Philippine Embassy does not recommend anymore that Filipinos evacuate Sudan through the Sudan-Egypt borders specifically the Qushtal/Ashkeet Land Port (via Wadi Halfa) and Argeen Land Port,” the advisory read.
It also advised against traveling to Egypt independently because “the issuance of Egyptian visa on arrival is not available for Filipino passport holders at this time” and “there will be limited support that the Philippine Embassy can extend to visa applicants during this time, and that is why we are using now the Port Sudan route for evacuation.”
Those who will insist on this route must first proceed to the Consulate of Egypt in Wadi Halfa and apply for appropriate visa, which would cost $25.
Filipinos who would like to avail of the embassy-sponsored buses must first send clear copies of their passport to [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]), and provide with the following information: full name (as indicated in the passport), phone number, is your passport and residence visa valid? (Yes/No); and name and contact details of the next-of-kin in the Philippines.
“Do not ride the bus without first notifying the Embassy. You must register in advance, or else there may be no seats for you,” the advisory warned.
Some 53 Filipinos were already evacuated from Port Sudan bound to Jeddah.
Other 97 Filipinos are still waiting for repatriation from Sudan and they will be using Port Sudan as their exit point in going to Jeddah.
Violence in Sudan started after fighting broke out between the Sudanese army and its rival paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Khartoum on April 15.