Marawi City—The US government has appropriated P296.2 million ($5.55 million) in fresh assistance package for humanitarian and social reconstruction works here and around this war-ravaged city, Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission Michael Klecheski said.
“The additional assistance will promote the role and inclusion of women in the recovery and rehabilitation of Marawi as well as support ongoing humanitarian assistance work in and around the city,” Klecheski said.
The US official said the assistance, to be delivered through the United States Agency for International Development, brings the total US government contribution to humanitarian and recovery work in and around Marawi to more than P1.7 billion ($31.95 million).
He added that “women have been disproportionately impacted by the conflict in Marawi, including by psychological trauma, reduced mobility, and diminished participation in civic activities.”
At least P136.1 million ($2.55 million) of the new assistance will respond to the needs of displaced persons, particularly women and girls, by promoting leadership and fostering peace-building and alternatives to violent extremism, as well as integrate gender into recovery and rehabilitation work.
In partnership with local governments and organizations, the embassy said USAID will work with diverse groups of women to promote community dialogue and encourage civic engagement.
USAID will also work to counter gender-based violence and trafficking in persons, and to help displaced girls return to school.
The embassy said the remaining P160.1 ($3 million) of the humanitarian assistance package will be used to restore livelihoods through training and recovery grants to help more than 7,800 displaced families as well as provide water and sanitation for more than 10,000 displaced households.