MARAWI
CITY, Lanao del Sur, March 14 (PIA) --- The Autonomous Region in Muslim
Mindanao (ARMM) has launched a donation drive to help cater to the
basic needs of the growing number of internally displaced persons (IDPs)
staying at different evacuation centers in Maguindanao.
The
military operation that started in February has now escalated to
13 towns in the province, forcing 19, 075 civilian families or 93, 402
individuals to take refuge in evacuation centers.
It also disrupted classes in 42 schools, affecting the education of at least 16,000 elementary and secondary students.
ARMM
Governor Mujiv Hataman said they continue to respond to the needs of
the displaced families while underscoring the call for peace.
The
“Tabang Sibilyan, Isulong ang Kapayapaan” relief and peace advocacy
campaign of the region aims to provide food and medical assistance to
the evacuees and rally support for the continuation of the Mindanao
peace process.
ARMM spends at least P12 million a week on
food packs for the evacuees. The amount does not include the cost of
other forms of assistance and the logistics.
Deputy
Executive Secretary John Louie Balagot said the existing funds of the
region will not be able to keep up with the rising number of evacuees.
The
donation drive, he said, will help augment the resources of the
regional government and raise awareness on the plight of civilians in
the ongoing conflict in Maguindanao.
He added that it also aims to centralize donations intended for the IDPs.
A
donation booth has been installed in front of the Office of the
Bangsamoro People inside the ARMM compound in Cotabato City to accept
donations in cash or in kind. The booth will operate daily from 8:00 AM
to 5:00 PM.
Balagot said the regional government is asking
the public and different institutions to donate food and clothing for
the IDPs.
Cash and other forms of donations are also welcome, he said. (Bureau of Public Information-ARMM/PIA-10)
- See more at:
http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/1521426255848/armm-launches-donation-drive-for-idps-in-maguindanao#sthash.UbeVw7O3.dpuf
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