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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Many Filipinos possibly affected by Maui fire — DFA exec

Many Filipinos possibly affected by Maui fire — DFA exec

Published Aug 15, 2023 08:04 am

A Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) official said Tuesday, August 5, there is a high probability that a big number of Filipinos in Maui are affected by the devastating wildfire as the number of casualties remains undetermined.

Assistant Secretary Paul Cortes attributed this to the huge population of Filipinos born or living in the whole of Hawaii, which according to the 2020 census stands at 388,000.

"So, the likelihood na may mga kababayan or Filipino ancestry na naapektuhan ng wildfires sa Lahaina ay (that there are Filipinos who are affected by the wildfire in Lahaina is) very high," he said in a Laging Handa briefing.

Chances for visiting Filipinos and Philippine passport holders to be affected by the wildfire remain "very minimal," Cortes said, although he clarified that only three percent of the affected area in Lahaina in the island of Maui has already been covered by search and rescue operations.

Meanwhile, 50 Filipinos who are just on an exchange visit in Hawaii are also safe from the wildfires.

"They’re now being housed (in) a shelter given by the Hawaii state and the US government authorities," he said. The Philippine government is prepared to offer assistance should they request for repatriation, he added.


Death toll reached 99 on Tuesday, according to reports, while thousands of structures and properties were destroyed in the deadliest wildfire to hit Maui in century.

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Maui hawaii Department of Foreign Affairs wildfire
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