DFA Usec. Arriola Featured in Policy Paper of the IOM

17 March 2021 – Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs Sarah Lou Y. Arriola was featured in the 30th edition of the “Red Book Series”, the official publication of the International Dialogue on Migration (IDM) hosted by the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

The latest International Dialogue on Migration, entitled “COVID-19 crisis: Reimagining the role of migrants and human mobility for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals” featured Usec. Arriola, who joined as session panelist on the protection of vulnerable migrants during and beyond the COVID-19 crisis. Arriola said that overseas Filipino migrant workers were the first to be brought home by the Philippine Government, complete with personal protective equipment. All returnees were quarantined and tested, with meals and testing provided free of charge.

“In some cases, migrant workers had been stranded in countries without embassies or commercial flights. Cruise ships, on which many Filipinos worked, were heavily hit by the virus. The Government had made a substantial effort to bring those migrants home, repatriating 17,000 seafarers from more than 100 cruise ships. In all, it had organized the repatriation of 200,000 Filipinos from overseas… The Government also paid for onward travel to the returnees’ home communities. It worked with local governments to support migrant reintegration, providing capital for small businesses set up by returning migrants, scholarships, financial literacy program and cash assistance. Migrants were also being trained as contact tracers, enhancing their skills and training,” stated Usec. Arriola as she delivered the Philippine statement during the IDM.

The 30th edition of the IDM “Red Book” which was recently released by IOM can be accessed through: https://publications.iom.int/books/international-dialogue-migration-no-30-covid-19-crisis-reimagining-role-migrants-and-human. END