ONE month into the conflict in Marawi City, many humanitarian needs still need to be filled as the fighting between government security forces and the Maute Group continues without an immediate end in sight.
In a report, the International Committee of the Red Cross said Friday there was still a need to support more than 200,000 displaced people with food, drinking water, sanitation facilities and health care.
“The situation is far from over. Fighting is ongoing and the civilians who are trapped or are displaced continue to face challenging situations,” Roberto Petronio, head of the ICRC sub-delegation in Mindanao, said.
He made the statement even as the farmers’ group Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas said the prolonged martial law in Mindanao and the intensifying military operations to flush out the Maute and BIFF groups had already adversely affected agriculture and food production.
“The expanding humanitarian crisis resulting from President Duterte’s martial law declaration and the government’s all-out war will lead to worsening hunger and poverty especially in Mindanao,” KMP secretary-general Antonio Flores said.
“President Duterte will have to answer for that situation. His apology will not suffice. He should lift martial law and rebuild what he helped destroy.”
The ICRC has been supporting people in need since the fighting began by evacuating more than 700 people from Marawi City.
Already in the first week, the ICRC and the Philippine Red Cross distributed two-week food rations, household and hygiene items for the displaced people in Saguiaran, including those staying with relatives.
Over the last four weeks, the ICRC has delivered large quantities of medical supplies to rural health units and hospitals in the region that were overwhelmed by the influx of displaced people.
Together, PRC volunteers and ICRC specialists continue to address water and sanitation issues in the Saguiaran evacuation center.
“Our situation inside the evacuation center is not easy”•it’s humid during the day but it’s too cold at night,” Casamudin Riga, a 51-year-old trader from Marinaut village in Marawi, said.
“As evacuees, we don’t have much choice. I’m just grateful because at least my family is complete and we’re safe. We hope that we can return to our homes soon and start again.”
In the first week of the clashes, the ICRC also tried to intervene for the safe evacuation of civilians trapped by the fighting.
However, due to the deteriorating security situation, a humanitarian ceasefire had not been possible.
“We are extremely worried about those who are still trapped in Marawi and continue to urge all parties to the conflict to allow them to leave the area safely. We hope the fighting will end soon,” Petronio said.
The ICRC also continues to followup on the conduct of hostilities and the treatment of civilians and of the people detained in relation to the conflict. With Sandy Araneta
