Latest news with #DepartmentofForeignAffairs
GMA Network
4 hours ago
- Health
- GMA Network
DOH provides mental health counseling to OFWs in Israel
Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Teodoro Herbosa, on Saturday, led the online counselling sessions for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) living in Israel. Herbosa was joined by experts from DOH Mariveles Mental Health and Wellness General Hospital to debrief and provide psychological first aid to 60 OFWs, while some patients were referred to further mental health services offered by the DOH. 'We also understand the anxiety and fear of everybody. We want to tell you you're not alone. Kahit malayo kami, nandirito ang Pilipinas. Yung Department of Health naman tuloy-tuloy kami to support and endeavor to provide one of the services, which is psychosocial support,' he said. (We also understand the anxiety and fear of everybody. We want to tell you you're not alone. Even if we are far away, the Philippines is here. The Department of Health will continue to support and endeavor to provide one of the services which is psychosocial support.) 'Please know that we are always here and continue to explore all avenues to assist you. Stay strong, stay vigilant, and continue to look out for one another. We are praying for your safety and for peace in the region,' he added. The DOH initiative was conducted in support of efforts by the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Migrant Workers to provide mental health and psychosocial support for Filipinos amid armed hostilities in Israel. —Jiselle Anne Casucian/ VAL, GMA Integrated News
The Advertiser
17 hours ago
- Politics
- The Advertiser
'No other option': desperate plea from stranded Aussies
Australians stranded in Iran say government advice to escape by crossing international borders is not feasible for the most vulnerable, amid fears a fragile truce between Israel and Iran could break. Efforts to bring Australians home from the region have been complicated by border restrictions and flight path closures. Perth engineer Vahid said his sister Azam and their parents Ezat, 70, and Hossein, 86, had travelled to Iran in June 2024 so his father could undergo health checks before returning to Australia as their permanent residency application was being processed. But the family has been left stranded after airports were shut down and borders closed following the outbreak of fighting. To make matters worse, his parents' visas have expired, making a return even more difficult. "Dad is 86 years old and cannot travel long distances by car to the Azerbaijani border or Turkey to get to the Australian consulate because the consular office in Tehran is closed," he told AAP on Friday. He is pleading with the federal government for guidance after the only advice provided was to cross the border into Azerbaijan or to shelter in place. The trip, which Azam, Ezat and Hossein would have to organise, would take at least 12 hours by car. "There is no other option except to go through the border by car," said Vahid, who asked for his surname not to be used. "This solution is not feasible for them - for people like my parents at that age - it's not feasible for them to travel long distances." The family is under immense stress, fearing the "fragile" ceasefire could shatter, and is unable to escape the capital Tehran to a safer location due to Hossein's age. "I experience lots of stress, maybe double the stress, over here because I can see the situation and I don't have any options to help them," Vahid said. He urged authorities to issue his parents with new visas and to help his sister, an Australian citizen, return to her son in Sydney, saying the situation was "out of their hands". About 3200 Australians wanting to leave Iran have registered with the Department of Foreign Affairs. Iranian Community of Western Australia president Mohammad Bahar said those he had spoken with were happy with the advice and felt the government "never forgot them". DFAT says it is supporting Australians secure seats on commercial flights that are starting to resume out of Iran. Australians can leave Iran using border crossings into Azerbaijan, Turkey, Armenia or Turkmenistan, with the Smartraveller website adding those who can't or don't want to leave should monitor local developments and follow local advice. A ceasefire was reached after 12 days of war, which erupted when Israel launched attacks on Iranian military and nuclear sites. The assault triggered waves of retaliatory strikes before the US president intervened to put an end to the escalating violence. Australians stranded in Iran say government advice to escape by crossing international borders is not feasible for the most vulnerable, amid fears a fragile truce between Israel and Iran could break. Efforts to bring Australians home from the region have been complicated by border restrictions and flight path closures. Perth engineer Vahid said his sister Azam and their parents Ezat, 70, and Hossein, 86, had travelled to Iran in June 2024 so his father could undergo health checks before returning to Australia as their permanent residency application was being processed. But the family has been left stranded after airports were shut down and borders closed following the outbreak of fighting. To make matters worse, his parents' visas have expired, making a return even more difficult. "Dad is 86 years old and cannot travel long distances by car to the Azerbaijani border or Turkey to get to the Australian consulate because the consular office in Tehran is closed," he told AAP on Friday. He is pleading with the federal government for guidance after the only advice provided was to cross the border into Azerbaijan or to shelter in place. The trip, which Azam, Ezat and Hossein would have to organise, would take at least 12 hours by car. "There is no other option except to go through the border by car," said Vahid, who asked for his surname not to be used. "This solution is not feasible for them - for people like my parents at that age - it's not feasible for them to travel long distances." The family is under immense stress, fearing the "fragile" ceasefire could shatter, and is unable to escape the capital Tehran to a safer location due to Hossein's age. "I experience lots of stress, maybe double the stress, over here because I can see the situation and I don't have any options to help them," Vahid said. He urged authorities to issue his parents with new visas and to help his sister, an Australian citizen, return to her son in Sydney, saying the situation was "out of their hands". About 3200 Australians wanting to leave Iran have registered with the Department of Foreign Affairs. Iranian Community of Western Australia president Mohammad Bahar said those he had spoken with were happy with the advice and felt the government "never forgot them". DFAT says it is supporting Australians secure seats on commercial flights that are starting to resume out of Iran. Australians can leave Iran using border crossings into Azerbaijan, Turkey, Armenia or Turkmenistan, with the Smartraveller website adding those who can't or don't want to leave should monitor local developments and follow local advice. A ceasefire was reached after 12 days of war, which erupted when Israel launched attacks on Iranian military and nuclear sites. The assault triggered waves of retaliatory strikes before the US president intervened to put an end to the escalating violence. Australians stranded in Iran say government advice to escape by crossing international borders is not feasible for the most vulnerable, amid fears a fragile truce between Israel and Iran could break. Efforts to bring Australians home from the region have been complicated by border restrictions and flight path closures. Perth engineer Vahid said his sister Azam and their parents Ezat, 70, and Hossein, 86, had travelled to Iran in June 2024 so his father could undergo health checks before returning to Australia as their permanent residency application was being processed. But the family has been left stranded after airports were shut down and borders closed following the outbreak of fighting. To make matters worse, his parents' visas have expired, making a return even more difficult. "Dad is 86 years old and cannot travel long distances by car to the Azerbaijani border or Turkey to get to the Australian consulate because the consular office in Tehran is closed," he told AAP on Friday. He is pleading with the federal government for guidance after the only advice provided was to cross the border into Azerbaijan or to shelter in place. The trip, which Azam, Ezat and Hossein would have to organise, would take at least 12 hours by car. "There is no other option except to go through the border by car," said Vahid, who asked for his surname not to be used. "This solution is not feasible for them - for people like my parents at that age - it's not feasible for them to travel long distances." The family is under immense stress, fearing the "fragile" ceasefire could shatter, and is unable to escape the capital Tehran to a safer location due to Hossein's age. "I experience lots of stress, maybe double the stress, over here because I can see the situation and I don't have any options to help them," Vahid said. He urged authorities to issue his parents with new visas and to help his sister, an Australian citizen, return to her son in Sydney, saying the situation was "out of their hands". About 3200 Australians wanting to leave Iran have registered with the Department of Foreign Affairs. Iranian Community of Western Australia president Mohammad Bahar said those he had spoken with were happy with the advice and felt the government "never forgot them". DFAT says it is supporting Australians secure seats on commercial flights that are starting to resume out of Iran. Australians can leave Iran using border crossings into Azerbaijan, Turkey, Armenia or Turkmenistan, with the Smartraveller website adding those who can't or don't want to leave should monitor local developments and follow local advice. A ceasefire was reached after 12 days of war, which erupted when Israel launched attacks on Iranian military and nuclear sites. The assault triggered waves of retaliatory strikes before the US president intervened to put an end to the escalating violence. Australians stranded in Iran say government advice to escape by crossing international borders is not feasible for the most vulnerable, amid fears a fragile truce between Israel and Iran could break. Efforts to bring Australians home from the region have been complicated by border restrictions and flight path closures. Perth engineer Vahid said his sister Azam and their parents Ezat, 70, and Hossein, 86, had travelled to Iran in June 2024 so his father could undergo health checks before returning to Australia as their permanent residency application was being processed. But the family has been left stranded after airports were shut down and borders closed following the outbreak of fighting. To make matters worse, his parents' visas have expired, making a return even more difficult. "Dad is 86 years old and cannot travel long distances by car to the Azerbaijani border or Turkey to get to the Australian consulate because the consular office in Tehran is closed," he told AAP on Friday. He is pleading with the federal government for guidance after the only advice provided was to cross the border into Azerbaijan or to shelter in place. The trip, which Azam, Ezat and Hossein would have to organise, would take at least 12 hours by car. "There is no other option except to go through the border by car," said Vahid, who asked for his surname not to be used. "This solution is not feasible for them - for people like my parents at that age - it's not feasible for them to travel long distances." The family is under immense stress, fearing the "fragile" ceasefire could shatter, and is unable to escape the capital Tehran to a safer location due to Hossein's age. "I experience lots of stress, maybe double the stress, over here because I can see the situation and I don't have any options to help them," Vahid said. He urged authorities to issue his parents with new visas and to help his sister, an Australian citizen, return to her son in Sydney, saying the situation was "out of their hands". About 3200 Australians wanting to leave Iran have registered with the Department of Foreign Affairs. Iranian Community of Western Australia president Mohammad Bahar said those he had spoken with were happy with the advice and felt the government "never forgot them". DFAT says it is supporting Australians secure seats on commercial flights that are starting to resume out of Iran. Australians can leave Iran using border crossings into Azerbaijan, Turkey, Armenia or Turkmenistan, with the Smartraveller website adding those who can't or don't want to leave should monitor local developments and follow local advice. A ceasefire was reached after 12 days of war, which erupted when Israel launched attacks on Iranian military and nuclear sites. The assault triggered waves of retaliatory strikes before the US president intervened to put an end to the escalating violence.
West Australian
20 hours ago
- Politics
- West Australian
'No other option': desperate plea from stranded Aussies
Australians stranded in Iran say government advice to escape by crossing international borders is not feasible for the most vulnerable, amid fears a fragile truce between Israel and Iran could break. Efforts to bring Australians home from the region have been complicated by border restrictions and flight path closures. Perth engineer Vahid said his sister Azam and their parents Ezat, 70, and Hossein, 86, had travelled to Iran in June 2024 so his father could undergo health checks before returning to Australia as their permanent residency application was being processed. But the family has been left stranded after airports were shut down and borders closed following the outbreak of fighting. To make matters worse, his parents' visas have expired, making a return even more difficult. "Dad is 86 years old and cannot travel long distances by car to the Azerbaijani border or Turkey to get to the Australian consulate because the consular office in Tehran is closed," he told AAP on Friday. He is pleading with the federal government for guidance after the only advice provided was to cross the border into Azerbaijan or to shelter in place. The trip, which Azam, Ezat and Hossein would have to organise, would take at least 12 hours by car. "There is no other option except to go through the border by car," said Vahid, who asked for his surname not to be used. "This solution is not feasible for them - for people like my parents at that age - it's not feasible for them to travel long distances." The family is under immense stress, fearing the "fragile" ceasefire could shatter, and is unable to escape the capital Tehran to a safer location due to Hossein's age. "I experience lots of stress, maybe double the stress, over here because I can see the situation and I don't have any options to help them," Vahid said. He urged authorities to issue his parents with new visas and to help his sister, an Australian citizen, return to her son in Sydney, saying the situation was "out of their hands". About 3200 Australians wanting to leave Iran have registered with the Department of Foreign Affairs. Iranian Community of Western Australia president Mohammad Bahar said those he had spoken with were happy with the advice and felt the government "never forgot them". DFAT says it is supporting Australians secure seats on commercial flights that are starting to resume out of Iran. Australians can leave Iran using border crossings into Azerbaijan, Turkey, Armenia or Turkmenistan, with the Smartraveller website adding those who can't or don't want to leave should monitor local developments and follow local advice. A ceasefire was reached after 12 days of war, which erupted when Israel launched attacks on Iranian military and nuclear sites. The assault triggered waves of retaliatory strikes before the US president intervened to put an end to the escalating violence.
Perth Now
20 hours ago
- Politics
- Perth Now
'No other option': desperate plea from stranded Aussies
Australians stranded in Iran say government advice to escape by crossing international borders is not feasible for the most vulnerable, amid fears a fragile truce between Israel and Iran could break. Efforts to bring Australians home from the region have been complicated by border restrictions and flight path closures. Perth engineer Vahid said his sister Azam and their parents Ezat, 70, and Hossein, 86, had travelled to Iran in June 2024 so his father could undergo health checks before returning to Australia as their permanent residency application was being processed. But the family has been left stranded after airports were shut down and borders closed following the outbreak of fighting. To make matters worse, his parents' visas have expired, making a return even more difficult. "Dad is 86 years old and cannot travel long distances by car to the Azerbaijani border or Turkey to get to the Australian consulate because the consular office in Tehran is closed," he told AAP on Friday. He is pleading with the federal government for guidance after the only advice provided was to cross the border into Azerbaijan or to shelter in place. The trip, which Azam, Ezat and Hossein would have to organise, would take at least 12 hours by car. "There is no other option except to go through the border by car," said Vahid, who asked for his surname not to be used. "This solution is not feasible for them - for people like my parents at that age - it's not feasible for them to travel long distances." The family is under immense stress, fearing the "fragile" ceasefire could shatter, and is unable to escape the capital Tehran to a safer location due to Hossein's age. "I experience lots of stress, maybe double the stress, over here because I can see the situation and I don't have any options to help them," Vahid said. He urged authorities to issue his parents with new visas and to help his sister, an Australian citizen, return to her son in Sydney, saying the situation was "out of their hands". About 3200 Australians wanting to leave Iran have registered with the Department of Foreign Affairs. Iranian Community of Western Australia president Mohammad Bahar said those he had spoken with were happy with the advice and felt the government "never forgot them". DFAT says it is supporting Australians secure seats on commercial flights that are starting to resume out of Iran. Australians can leave Iran using border crossings into Azerbaijan, Turkey, Armenia or Turkmenistan, with the Smartraveller website adding those who can't or don't want to leave should monitor local developments and follow local advice. A ceasefire was reached after 12 days of war, which erupted when Israel launched attacks on Iranian military and nuclear sites. The assault triggered waves of retaliatory strikes before the US president intervened to put an end to the escalating violence.
Irish Times
a day ago
- Politics
- Irish Times
‘Urgent need' to implement provisions of Official Languages Act
The Irish language community's 'lack of confidence' in the availability of public services in Irish demonstrates the 'urgent need' to implement provisions of the Official Languages Act, An Coimisinéir Teanga has said. Speaking on the publication of his office's annual report for 2024, Séamas Ó Concheanainn said the absence of a mandatory obligation for Government departments and local authorities to provide fundamental services such as passport, public services card or driving licence applications in Irish is 'a significant concern'. The provision of such services for the Irish speaking community is being 'significantly' hindered by the absence of a formal obligation, Mr Ó Concheanainn said. Another factor cited by the Coimisinéir Teanga is a shortage of qualified staff within public bodies who are proficient in Irish. READ MORE The report cites a 'clear and urgent need' for the full implementation of the new language standards system and the 20 per cent provision of recruits with Irish, elements which were described by the Coimisinéir Teanga as 'the two cornerstones' of the State's first national plan for the provision of Irish language services published last October. Mr Ó Concheanainn, whose role is to monitor compliance by the State and its agencies with language legislation, said a formal investigation carried out by his office into the Department of Foreign Affairs found it had 'insufficient staff' available to provide a telephone service in Irish to members of the public who wished to make a passport application through Irish. The office of the Coimisinéir Teanga received a total of 594 complaints from the public in 2024. While this represents a 6.5 per cent drop on the number received in 2023, the report says the nature of the complaints reflects 'extensive gaps' in current public services in Irish. These include a lack of online services in Irish, a lack of public service infrastructure in Gaeltacht areas, the absence of official forms in Irish, and the failure of State bodies to use the correct Irish form of names and surnames. While welcoming last October's publication of the Government's six-year National Plan for Irish Language Public Services as 'commendable', Mr Ó Concheanainn warned 'the significant improvement' that is required will not be achieved 'without a statutory obligation' on public bodies to provide 'the most basic of public services' such as passport and driving licence applications, in Irish. Mr Ó Concheanainn also said 'strategic workforce planning' that incorporates staff with proficiency in Irish will be necessary on a national basis to meet the State's target of 20 per cent of public service recruits being proficient in Irish by 2030. Highlighting the 'positive impact' that implementation of language legislation has had on strengthening language rights, Mr Ó Concheanainn said the prominence of Irish language across diverse media has 'significantly increased'. Section 10A of the Languages Act requires that at least 20 per cent of advertising placed by all public bodies in any given year is in Irish and that at least 5 per cent of their annual advertising budget is spent on Irish language media. Figures released last year by An Coimisinéir Teanga show that in 2023, public bodies placed advertising to the value of €3.8m on Irish-language media. Irish language advertising to the value of €10.4m was also placed on English-language media as a result of this provision. Publication of the 2024 report was welcomed by Minister for the Gaeltacht Dara Calleary. He said it demonstrates the 'significant progress' that has been made to date. While the report 'identifies some gaps in the provision of Irish language public services', Mr Calleary said he was encouraged that much of the work under way by his department will directly address most of these.
