The
young and the elderly have no other option but to sleep on the
floor of the old public market in Pagalungan, Maguindanao. They
left their mats home when they fled.
(©ICRC/L. de la Cruz) |
Thousands flee
fighting in central Mindanao
By
ICRC
March 4, 2015
MANILA – Thousands of
people have fled their homes as fighting between government security
forces and armed groups escalates in Maguindanao province, in central
Mindanao.
The number of displaced
people is rising.
Entire communities from
villages in Kalbugan and Buliok, in Maguindanao, displaced by a range
of clashes in early February, fear returning to their homes owing to
the risk of explosive devices and the general uncertainty of the
situation.
“Civilians are forced to
flee out of fear. Displacement, especially when it’s prolonged and
repeated, uproots people from their normal lives and causes untold
suffering,” said Pascal Mauchle, head of the ICRC’s delegation in the
Philippines. These families need food, clean water and access to
sanitation, he said.
The ICRC reminds all parties
to the fighting to respect human life and dignity. Civilians and
civilian property – such as houses, agricultural land, water-supply
lines and health-care facilities – must be safeguarded. All injured or
sick people – regardless of their religion, ethnic group, gender or
political beliefs – must receive medical treatment appropriate to
their condition.
Working closely with the
Philippine Red Cross, the ICRC delivered relief, such as food and
hygiene items, last week to some 20,000 people in North Cotabato and
Maguindanao; and began providing drinking water daily in two
evacuation centres. With their presence on the ground and close
proximity to the affected population, both organizations stand ready
to provide further support.
The ICRC is a neutral,
impartial and independent humanitarian organization whose mandate is
to protect and assist people affected by armed conflict and other
situations of violence. It has had an established presence in the
Philippines for over 60 years and a permanent presence in Mindanao
since 1986.