IDPs urged to sustain livelihood projects from CFSI

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur–Internally displaced persons (IDPs) who benefited from the Australian government’s Marawi Covid Recovery Project (MCRP) through the Community and Family Services International (CFSI) were encouraged to develop and sustain the livelihood projects they received.

“Tayo ay magpromise na aayusin natin ang mga livelihood, mamahalin natin yung mga binigay sa atin, at papalaguin ang ating mga livelihood (project), said Task Force Bangon Marawi Field Office manager Asec. Felix Castro Jr. during the handover of assistance to IDPs in Boganga Lakeview Transitory Shelter Wednesday, August 11.

[Let us promise that we will take care of the livelihoods, we will love what was given to us, and we will sustain the livelihoods project.]

Castro said the IDPs are fortunate because the Australian government which is a generous and willing partner of the Philippine government continuously assists in Marawi recovery.

City mayor Majul Gandamra echoed the same point in his message read by his chief-of-staff Dr. Imedla Gandamra-Taib wherein he urged IDPs to use and develop the assistance wisely and make it an instrument for their recovery not just from the 2017 siege but also from the pandemic.

“Alalahanin ninyo na ang tunay na tagumpay at pagbangon ay pinagtatrabaho-an at ang tanging makapagbigay nito sa inyo ay inyo ring mga sarili,” he said.

[Remember that you must work to rise again and achieve true success, and the only ones who can give this to you is yourself.]

Gandamra said the assistance provided by the local government of Marawi and its partners is only a guide and the key to full recovery and development lies in the hands of the people.

The MCRP is an expansion of the Australia-CFSI partnership that supports the recovery of IDPs from the impacts of the Covid-19. (APB/PIA Lanao del Sur)

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Aussie ambassador hails IDPs resilience, Bayanihan spirit

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur (PIA)–Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Steven J. Robinson lauded the resilience and unity of internally displaced persons (IDPs) here amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.

In his message during his fourth visit to Marawi on Wednesday, August 11, he thanked the IDPs for not falling into despair despite the day-to-day challenges that they confront.

“We know that the road to recovery has been long and has been really difficult but you will get there very soon,” Robinson told the IDPs reassuring them that the Australian government will continue to pour in support for them.

The Ambassador also encouraged the IDPs to keep the Filipino ‘Bayanihan’ trait alive which is akin to the Australian “mateship” that conveys friendship and solidarity.

“I can still see that the spirit of Bayanihan is much alive in each and every one of you so please continue to work together and help one another as you rebuild your lives, your home, and your communities,” he said.

Meanwhile, Robinson expressed appreciation to the partners of the Australian government in its endeavors to help in the recovery and rehabilitation of Marawi specifically mentioning the CFSI, UNHCR, UNFPA, Marawi City government, and Task Force Bangon Marawi.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank our partners for their unwavering commitment to uplift the lives of the people in Marawi. I am very proud of what our collaboration has achieved to this day,” the Ambassador said. (APB/PIA-ICIC)

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Australian Ambassador visits Marawi’s Lakeview Shelter

CFSI Executive Director Steven Muncy hands over a nebulizer to an IDP as part of the psychosocial support component of the Marawi Covid Recovery Project funded by the Australian government. Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Steven J. Robinson (right), TFBM Field Office Manager Asec. Felix Castro Jr., and Dr. Imelda Gandamra-Taib of LGU Marawi witness the handover.

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur–As part of the Australian government’s continuous support to Marawi recovery, Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Steven J. Robinson visited the Lakeview Shelter in Boganga village Wednesday, August 11.

Robinson led the handover of assistance to beneficiaries of the Community and Family Services International (CFSI) in the shelter.

In his message, the Ambassador noted that a lot has changed since his last visit to the city. ” I remember going to what was called the tent city but it’s good to see that no one lives there anymore and now you are in a much safer place,” he said.

Robinson also gave assurance that the Australian government will continue to support the recovery of Marawi amid the pandemic.

“Through our trusted partner CFSI, we extended assistance to help affected families deal with the additional challenges brought by the pandemic,” he said.

The assistance handed over to 12 community members is under the Marawi Covid Recovery Project (MCRP) of CFSI which is funded by the Australian government.

CFSI Executive Director Steven Muncy said the assistance delivered to displaced families has three major components. These are livelihood support, protection support which includes civil documentation such as certificate of live birth, and psychosocial support including provision of assistive devices for people with disability or chronic health conditions.

This project, he said, is being carried out in close collaboration with CFSI’s partners such as UNHCR, UNFPA, Mindanao State University, the city government of Marawi, and the affected community, among others.

Grateful beneficiaries

One of the IDPs who received a ‘coconut grater’ livelihood project is Faidarah Limbona Ampac, 31 years old, and with six children. When asked what she can say about the livelihood project, she said “Penalamat ta ka kiyaogopan ta iran ko kawiyagan ta sa khapakala iya (I am thankful because they helped boost my livelihood).”

Hasana Pangandaman also expressed her gratitude to CFSI and the Australian government. “Penalamatan k siran a iniped ako iran ko pamemegayan iran a livelihood (I want to thank them for including me as a beneficiary of the livelihood support),” she said. The 41-year old Hasana is a mother of eight children who used to reside in East Marinaut village before the siege,

22-year old Sohaila Ibrahim and 82-year old Radia Talo are also thankful for the assistive device they received.

Talo said the nebulizer can provide him immediate relief from an asthma attack and help him breathe freely. Ibrahim, on the other hand, said she is happy to have her own nebulizer as she can save money from buying medicines for her asthma.

Mateship and Bayanihan

Ambassador Robinson said this year marked the 75 years of the diplomatic relationship between Australia and the Philippines. The celebration, he said, is anchored on the theme of mateship similar to the “Bayanihan” tradition of Filipinos.

With this, he urged IDPs to keep the Filipino ‘Bayanihan’ spirit alive and work together in rebuilding their lives, their home, and their communities. (APB/PIA Lanao del Sur)

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