The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has provided psychosocial and financial assistance to more than 2,500 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) affected by the ongoing tensions in the Middle East.
DSWD Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao said around 2,110 repatriated individuals, mostly OFWs, have already received support upon their return to the Philippines.
Dumlao noted that psychosocial first aid was immediately extended to returning OFWs, with social workers conducting assessments to determine additional interventions needed.
The DSWD also assisted 409 OFWs stranded at airports in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Ireland, Portugal, Iraq, and Oman due to travel restrictions linked to the regional crisis.
In terms of financial aid, the agency has distributed over P1 million to 203 repatriated OFWs, along with P300,000 in medical assistance for one individual.
The DSWD has also begun providing livelihood support, with five OFWs receiving P20,000 each under the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) to help them rebuild their income.
The agency said coordination with other government offices is ongoing to ensure continued assistance for affected OFWs.
