Over 4,600 OFWs Assisted as Middle East Crisis Deepens, Repatriation Efforts Underway

The Philippine government is ramping up assistance to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in the Middle East amid escalating tensions, with over 4,608 OFWs having received support as of Tuesday, March 11, 2026. A chartered flight carrying 341 distressed and stranded OFWs from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Bahrain is scheduled to depart Riyadh for Manila on March 14, 2026, with an expected arrival on March 15, 2026, at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

Repatriation Operations and Assistance

The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) is coordinating with the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), and Philippine embassies in Riyadh, Manama, and Kuwait to facilitate the repatriation process. Filipino communities in the region are also contributing to the effort, demonstrating a “whole-of-government approach” to OFW safety Gulf News.

OFWs from Bahrain are being assisted in crossing land borders to reach Riyadh, while those in Kuwait are receiving help with travel clearances and border crossings to reach the staging area for the repatriation flight. The government is providing welfare assistance, including help with travel documentation, temporary accommodation, transportation, and other immediate needs Gulf News.

How OFWs Can Request Assistance

OFWs in necessitate of assistance can contact OWWA through multiple channels, including:

• Walk-in requests at Philippine embassies or labor offices abroad
• OWWA hotline: 1348
• DMW hotlines overseas Rappler
• Messaging platforms such as Viber and WhatsApp
• OWWA’s official email

These platforms allow OFWs to report emergencies, safety concerns, or other problems requiring immediate support Gulf News.

Government Funding and Future Operations

The repatriation operation is funded through the Emergency Repatriation Fund administered by OWWA. Additional charter flights are being arranged to continue repatriation efforts and assist other distressed OFWs or those wishing to return to the Philippines Gulf News.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Directed OWWA to arrange the charter flight to assist Filipinos who wish to return from KSA, Kuwait, and Bahrain due to the ongoing tensions Gulf News.

Key Takeaways

• Over 4,600 OFWs have received assistance amid the Middle East crisis.
• A chartered flight is scheduled to repatriate 341 OFWs from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Bahrain on March 14, 2026.
• OFWs can request assistance through various channels, including OWWA hotlines, embassies, and messaging platforms.
• The repatriation effort is funded by OWWA and supported by multiple government agencies.