ADU DHABI // Thousands of people remain stranded in neighbouring countries after attempting so-called visa runs, though diplomats said the situation is improving.
"The worst is already over," said Laureano Santiago, the consul general at the Philippine embassy in Iran.
In September, 3,500 Filipinos were stranded in Iran and 2,700 were in Oman while waiting for their UAE visas to be able to re-enter the country.
Mr Santiago said the number is now about 1,500 to 2,000 on Kish island, while less than 350 are on Qeshm island.
There are six Filipinos on Kish island, and seven on Qeshm, who signed affidavits that essentially state their intentions to return home.
"These people will not be able to return to the UAE," Mr Santiago said. "Our move is to purchase air tickets for them. They are getting desperate and stress levels are building."
He added that there were many "fence-sitters" waiting for any announcement from the Philippine government.
Claro Cristobal, spokesman for the Department of Foreign Affairs in Manila, said there was some funding available for its nationals in Iran and Oman. "Funds have been authorised for immediate food [and] medical assistance for Filipinos stranded," he said.
"Funds will also be used for their planned repatriation. The DFA is now co-ordinating with our embassies in Muscat and Tehran on details of repatriation."
Kish Airlines has offered to provide free air tickets to stranded Filipinos.
Naser Rezvani, managing director and chief executive of Kish Air Travels, said he had been talking to consulate officials in Dubai about helping.
He said Kish Airlines was prepared to take people who had been stranded on the island for more than a month. In Oman, Lamberto Monsanto, the consul general at the Philippine embassy in Muscat, said the number of stranded Filipinos in Buraimi was 1,400, with 51 more in Khasab.
"At least 400 Filipinos have been stranded in Buraimi since September," he said.
Romeo Yang, the labour attache in Oman, recently met representatives of placement agencies in Muscat to explore employment options for stranded Filipinos.
"We still have to get a clearance from the Oman Ministry of Manpower so they could get jobs here," he said.
rruiz@thenational.ae
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Jigra
Starring: Alia Bhatt, Vedang Raina, Manoj Pahwa, Harsh Singh
Profile of Foodics
Founders: Ahmad AlZaini and Mosab AlOthmani
Based: Riyadh
Sector: Software
Employees: 150
Amount raised: $8m through seed and Series A - Series B raise ongoing
Funders: Raed Advanced Investment Co, Al-Riyadh Al Walid Investment Co, 500 Falcons, SWM Investment, AlShoaibah SPV, Faith Capital, Technology Investments Co, Savour Holding, Future Resources, Derayah Custody Co.
Match info
Uefa Champions League Group B
Tottenham Hotspur 1 (Eriksen 80')
Inter Milan 0
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre 4-cylinder petrol
Power: 154bhp
Torque: 250Nm
Transmission: 7-speed automatic with 8-speed sports option
Price: From Dh79,600
On sale: Now
COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAlmouneer%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202017%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dr%20Noha%20Khater%20and%20Rania%20Kadry%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EEgypt%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20staff%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E120%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EBootstrapped%2C%20with%20support%20from%20Insead%20and%20Egyptian%20government%2C%20seed%20round%20of%20%3Cbr%3E%243.6%20million%20led%20by%20Global%20Ventures%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
New Zealand 57-0 South Africa
Tries: Rieko Ioane, Nehe Milner-Skudder (2), Scott Barrett, Brodie Retallick, Ofa Tu'ungfasi, Lima Sopoaga, Codie Taylor. Conversions: Beauden Barrett (7). Penalty: Beauden Barrett
SPECS%3A%20Polestar%203
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EA Sports FC 25
Developer: EA Vancouver, EA Romania
Publisher: EA Sports
Consoles: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4&5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S
Rating: 3.5/5
The specs
Engine: Long-range single or dual motor with 200kW or 400kW battery
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Max touring range: 620km / 590km
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How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.