THE DEPARTMENT of Foreign Affairs late on Thursday raised the alert level in Ethiopia due to the intensifying conflict within that country, and as a result will prepare to evacuate Philippine citizens.
“Alert Level 4 is raised when there is large-scale internal conflict or full-blown external attack,” it said in a statement, noting the conflict ongoing in the Ethiopian state of Tigray and neighboring regions.
With the imposition of Alert Level 4, the Philippine Government will proceed with the mandatory evacuation of Filipinos in that country. The 800 Filipinos in Ethiopia are expected to restrict non-essential movements and avoid public places while preparing for evacuation.
The DFA advised all Filipinos not to travel to Ethiopia at this time.
Filipinos in Ethiopia needing assistance may contact the Philippine Embassy in Cairo, Egypt, or the Philippine Honorary Consul in Addis Ababa. — Alyssa Nicole O. Tan
