MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, Feb. 15 (PIA) --- A total of P1.9 million worth of relief supplies have been provided by the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao-Humanitarian Emergency Action and Response Team (ARMM-HEART) to the 6,627 families affected by recent clashes between government troops and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) in areas of Maguindanao.
A series of validation and assessment of affected individuals was carried out by the ARMM HEART before conducting relief operations at identified communities, said Ramil Masukat, ARMM’s Disaster Risk Reduction Management Officer (RDRRMO).
Masukat said the assessment revealed that 31 barangays are affected by the conflict with the most number of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) at 1,394 families or 6,970 individuals, coming from the town of Shariff Saidona Mustapha.
The assessment and validation, according to Masukat, is needed to determine the total number of IDPs including those who are home-based or staying outside of evacuation centers, their needs and health condition and the location and number of evacuation centers that have been put up.
Masukat headed the two weeks operation of the ARMM HEART in the area including the actual relief distribution.
ARMM HEART has already served a total of 6,627 families or 28,875 persons, including the 758 families who have sought refuge in the village of Macasendeg in Midsayap,North Cotabato.
Masukat said the families staying there are from the village of Dasawao in Shariff Saidona Mustapha.
The food parcels given to each IDP family contained 5 kilos of rice, 5 cans of sardines, 5 packs of noodles, coffee and sugar.
The relief operation also included free medical services provided by the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, Maguindanao’s provincial health office and the Center for Health and Development 12.
Masukat said evacuees still need additional shelter and hygiene kits at the moment.
The United Nations’ International Organization for Migration (IOM) has also provided 1,500 packs of assorted non-food items to evacuees staying in the towns of Datu Salibo and Mamasapano.
The ARMM’s health department and its provincial counterpart also provided assorted medicines.
ARMM executive secretary Laisa Alamia said the ARMM government will closely monitor the condition of affected families and extend all necessary assistance it can. (Bureau of Public Information-ARMM/APB/PIA-10)
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