OFWs in Saudi urged to stay calm

abs-cbnNEWS.com

The Philippine consulate in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia released an advisory to Filipinos who may be affected by the series of earthquakes that occurred in the Al-Eis region in the past two days.

“The Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah wishes to advise the entire Filipino community in Al-Eis and nearby areas in Madinah, Yanbu, Tabuk and Omluj to keep calm and composed as, the Saudi Civil Defense authorities are very much in control of the situation,” the advisory stated.

ABS-CBN Middle East News Bureau correspondent Charles Tabbu reported that 24 Filipino nurses were temporarily brought to an evacuation center.

In Yanbu, Philippine Consulate coordinator Rey Vicencio said that aside from the nurses, Filipino workers employed at the Saudi Cooperative Electric Company or SCECO were also moved to evacuation centers in Yanbu and Madinah.

A Filipina nurse from Omluj said they have set up tents near their hospital due to the series of earthquakes. They are also afraid to sleep in the building where their accommodation is located.

"Aalis daw kami ngayon kasi baka sasabog. Malakas ang earthquake kaya doon kami sa ospital. May tent na doon na naka-ready. Lahat kami dito aalis. Mga 60 kami dito na tao--Indian at Filipina," said a Pinay nurse, who asked not to be named.

The consulate in Jeddah stated that based on the Saudi Civil Defense report, everyone has been evacuated out of the Al-Eis area, which was the epicenter of the tremors. It has been sealed off to people to prevent any injuries or deaths.

“Those evacuated have been brought to safety to tent camps situated outside the cordoned off area and are regularly provided with all the necessary assistance,” the Consulate said.

It added that the Consulate General has dispatched a team to the evacuation area to closely coordinate with Saudi Civil Defense authorities in order to ensure that no Filipino national has been left behind in Al-Eis during the evacuation.

“The team is also going to find out if there are Filipinos who are already in the tent camps and what their immediate needs are so that these could be properly addressed. It has further been instructed to link up with Filipinos who have already been evacuated to safety by their respective employers and brought to other sites/places other than the tent camps,” said the statement.

Filipinos who may still be in Al-Eis and in nearby areas have been advised to heed warnings and follow instructions of the Saudi Civil Defense authorities for their safety.

It further assured Filipinos that it will send representatives to make arrangements with the Saudi Civil Defense authorities to extend assistance to Pinoys.

Pinoys already outside the cordoned-off areas but could still experience tremors were given basic safety measures to follow: (1) Stay calm; (2) Get out, as soon as practicable, of the building to an open area and stay there until the tremors subside; (3) If, getting out of the building cannot be done, to take cover under tables and sturdy fixtures so as not to be injured by falling debris; (4) Those along coastlines are advised to proceed to higher places, in case there would be tsunamis; (5) In all cases, everyone must ensure that their mobile phones are fully charged at all times and that they have their personal documents, some biscuits, water and few pieces of clothes ready in a small bag in case they need to evacuate.

Also included in the advisory are hotlines that Filipinos could use in case they need further instruction and information from the Consulate.

The numbers are: Duty Officer - 0515016318; Consular Section - 0555219614; ANS -0555219613; POLO-OWWA - 6658462 / 0515124793