Aid for 2,500 people displaced by fighting in Lanao del Sur

By ICRC
July 13, 2018

MANILA – 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 fulfill 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.