On 7th May the Government of India launched the largest ever evacuation of Indian nationals from countries around the world who were stranded on the account of the Covid-19 pandemic. Entitled the ‘Vande Bharat Mission’, this mamoth operation initially covered 12 countries including the Philippines. These included the US, UK, some Gulf countries, Malaysia and Singapore besides the Philippines. Over 190,000 passengers are to be evacuated.
The Embassy of India in Manila in close cooperation with Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Tourism and Bureau of Immigration successfully completed the first phase of repatriation operation from 10th May-14th May 2020 with “Vande Bharat Mission”, daily flights to different cities in India from Manila.
The first flight from Ninoy-Aquino International Airport Manila to Mumbai took off on Sunday 10th May 2020 carrying 154 passengers. Further repatriation flights from Manila to Ahmadabad, New Delhi, Hyderabad and Chennai have been successfully accomplished evacuating more than 800 stranded Indian nationals. Majority of the evacuees are students, tourists, senior citizens and citizens with health concerns.
The second phase of the repatriation plan will commence on 19th May 2020 and end on 30th May 2020. Five further flights are planned to come to the Philippines including one to Cebu for a direct flight to India.
