The EU brings back home 4.000 Europeans from the Philippines

14.05.2020

11 Member States organised repatriation operations that were specially challenging due to the 7.000 islands of the Philippines archipelago

The repatriation operations were specially challenging due to the 7.000 islands of the Philippines archipelago. Nevertheless, the joint work of EU Member States and the EU delegation managed to take more than 4,000 Europeans home. 12 Member States organised sweeper or repatriation flights (seven countries under the civil protection mechanism).

The EU delegation played an important role reaching out to the government to address issues to allow the mobility or the accommodation of stranded tourists. It also relayed information to the 13 non-resident Member States  and liaised with third countries. The consular coordination with the UK, Norway and Switzerland was also beneficial for the stranded citizens.