DMW says 9 OFWs injured in Taiwan quake, sends team for psycho-social support
Nine overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) were injured when a 7.2 magnitude quake jolted Taiwan on April 3, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) disclosed on Monday, April 8.
In a statement, the DMW said it the nine OFWs suffered injuries ranging from minor to light injuries.
“All the OFWs have received medical attention for their injuries and are recovering in their respective company dormitories and accommodations,” the DMW said.
“Their health and condition are being monitored closely by the DMW’s Migrant Workers Office in Taipei (MWO-Taipei),” it added.
At least nine people died while around 1,000 were injured during the quake, reports said.
The Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) has already distributed cash assistance and relief packs to the OFWs whose jobs were affected by the strong tremor.
The DMW said it is also deploying a six-member augmentation team on Monday to address the needs of the approximately 5,000 OFWs in Hualien County and surrounding counties.
“The team will provide psycho-social and mental wellness support for OFWs who need this kind of assistance,” the DMW said.
Hualien County, in central-eastern Taiwan, is the nearest county to the epicenter of last Wednesday’s 7.2 magnitude quake located about 25 kilometers southeast off its coastline.
Hualien County is under the jurisdiction of MWO-Taipei.