Manila (ICRC, 13 July 2018) – Close to 500
families that found themselves displaced by the recent outbreak of fighting in
the southern part of Lanao del Sur province, in Mindanao, received food and
other essential supplies provided by the International Committee of the Red
Cross (ICRC), with the support of the Philippine Red Cross (PRC).
“These
families have been unable to return home due to security concerns,” said Meher
Khatcherian, who heads the ICRC office covering this area. “Though various
government agencies have distributed food among the displaced population, there
is a need to extend more help. Our aim is to augment the initial support,” he
added.
The
two-week ration was distributed yesterday among the displaced families in
Pagayawan municipality comprising around 2,500 people. Each family received 25
kg of rice, one litre of cooking oil, one kg of sugar, ½ kg of salt, one litre
of soy sauce, 12 tins of sardines, as well as two sleeping mats, two blankets,
two mosquito nets, kitchen utensils and hygiene items.
More
than 14,000 people were initially displaced by the fighting between the
Philippine armed forces and alleged members of Islamic State-Ranao that started
on June 17 and affected 16 “barangays” (villages) in Pagayawan and Tubaran.
After
the clashes ended, an ICRC team assessed the humanitarian situation, including
the need to strengthen the protection accorded to civilians by international
humanitarian law. While families displaced from Tubaran returned home days
after the assessment, those from Pagayawan continue to stay with relatives or
in evacuation centres.
“In
accordance with our mandate, the ICRC reminds all parties to the conflict to
protect civilians, sick and wounded people, and detainees, and to fulfil their
obligation to respect international humanitarian law,” said Khatcherian.
Keeping in mind the influx of displaced families, the ICRC also donated emergency medical supplies to the Pagayawan rural health unit, which serves 14,500 residents. These items will benefit 1,000 people over the next three months. Just two weeks ago, medicines and medical materials were donated to the Unayan District Hospital in Binidayan town, which provides services to five Lanao del Sur towns, including Pagayawan.
Ever since clashes broke out in Marawi City, also in Lanao del Sur, in May 2017, the ICRC, along with its operational partner, the PRC, has helped hundreds of thousands of people affected by the conflict. The ICRC is a neutral, impartial and independent humanitarian organization whose exclusively humanitarian mission is to protect the lives and dignity of victims of armed conflict and other situations of violence and to provide them with assistance. (By Allison Lopez)
Keeping in mind the influx of displaced families, the ICRC also donated emergency medical supplies to the Pagayawan rural health unit, which serves 14,500 residents. These items will benefit 1,000 people over the next three months. Just two weeks ago, medicines and medical materials were donated to the Unayan District Hospital in Binidayan town, which provides services to five Lanao del Sur towns, including Pagayawan.
Ever since clashes broke out in Marawi City, also in Lanao del Sur, in May 2017, the ICRC, along with its operational partner, the PRC, has helped hundreds of thousands of people affected by the conflict. The ICRC is a neutral, impartial and independent humanitarian organization whose exclusively humanitarian mission is to protect the lives and dignity of victims of armed conflict and other situations of violence and to provide them with assistance. (By Allison Lopez)
No comments:
Post a Comment