PH Chargé D'affaires Calls On Syrian Minister of Social Affairs and Labor to Facilitate Repatriation of Human Trafficking Victims

Philippine Chargé d’affaires to Syria Vida Soraya S. Verzosa presents a gift from the Philippines to Minister of Social Affairs and Labor, Dr. Salwa Abdullah during a courtesy call to facilitate repatriation of human trafficking victims. (Damascus PE photo)

DAMASCUS 23 February 2021 — Philippine Chargé d’affaires, a.i. (CDA) to Syria Vida Soraya S. Verzosa called on Syrian Minister of Social Affairs and Labor Dr. Salwa Abdullah on 27 January 2021.

During the meeting, CDA Verzosa requested assistance to facilitate repatriation of the Filipino human trafficking victims from Syria. She also expressed her gratefulness that the Minister is a woman who has pushed for significant advancement in the rights of all women of Syria.

“I am happy that a lady and a mother is heading the Philippine Embassy in Damascus because she can convey the suffering experienced by the women and children of the Philippines in a transparent way,”  said Minister Abdullah.

Minister Abdullah conveyed the readiness of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor to cooperate with the Embassy and to try to come up with solutions to this problem of human trafficking and illegal recruitment, through mutual cooperation.

CDA Verzosa presented her gift from the Philippines and the holiday card with her artwork.  The Minister’s late husband was also an artist and she promised to gift the Embassy with a book of his paintings. END

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