27 May 2020, Berlin – 375 Filipino crewmembers of AIDA Cruises departed for the Philippines from Hamburg, Germany on May 2020 via a chartered Evelop Airlines flight.
The seafarers had been awaiting repatriation after cruise trips were suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic starting in March.
The Filipino crew, part of several thousand AIDA Cruises employees of different nationalities, were assisted at the send-off by Philippine Ambassador to Germany Theresa Dizon-De Vega, Welfare Officer Sylvia Gabriel with Embassy Assistants Renante Estrella and Vieto Pilapil.
Before boarding, The Filipino crew were provided with information on how to avail of the AKAP or Social Amelioration Fund and also the Balik Pinas, Balik Hanapbuhay Livelihood Assistance Program.
The Filipino crewmembers are expected to arrive in the Philippines on 28 May 2020. Over 1,000 Filpino seafarers have been repatriated from Germany since April 2020. END