Displaced families in Marawi receive Ramadan food packs from the ARMM gov’t

Marawi City evacues

Cotabato City (May 16, 2018) – More than 300 internally displaced families currently residing in two tent city sites in Marawi City have received Ramadan food packs from the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) government on Tuesday, May 15.

The distribution was held during the ARMM People’s Day held in Marawi City led by the Humanitarian and Emergency Action Response Team (ARMM-HEART), a key initiative of the regional government.

Myrna Jo Henry, ARMM-HEART information officer, said the distribution of food packs “is an act of charity” and will help the evacuees prepare for the Ramadan that will start on Thursday, May 17. The food packs contain rice, fresh fish, dried fish, loaves of bread, peanut butter, coffee, energy drink, sugar and other food items.

“As we observe the holiest month of Ramadan, may we find time to pray for the lives of thousands who have been affected by the conflict,” ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman said.

Marawi City was under siege by elements of local terrorist groups starting May 23 last year. With the terrorists occupying major parts of the city, fighting went on for five months, or until October, destroying properties and forcing thousands of residents to flee their homes.

The regional government has been prompt in extending its assistance to the evacuees since the crisis started. It immediately established a crisis management committee and several operation centers to facilitate the delivery of assistance to the affected families.

In June 2017, at least a month since the seige started, the regional government released P77 million as assistance to the victims of the crisis. ARMM-HEART also formed a rescue team that helped save civilians trapped in areas where heavy fighting was reported.

The team also helped in delivering additional assistance from the regional government and the provincial government of Lanao del Sur to the affected individuals since last year.

In earlier reports, Gov. Hataman said the regional government has provided P450 million last year for the rehabilitation of Marawi. An additional P930 million will be released for Marawi this year. (Bureau of Public Information)