MAGUINDANAO (Mindanao Examiner / Aug. 16, 2012) – The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the Philippine Red Cross have distributed cooking sets, hygiene kits and shelter items to over 2,200 refugees now in 4 evacuation centers in the southern province of Maguindanao, where security forces are battling Muslim rebels.
The donation was part of emergency response to aid refugees in the town of Ampatuan where villagers had fled the fighting which broke out last week after members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Movement attacked civilian and military targets in the province.
“During our assessment on the ground over the last few days, it was clear that although these families were in evacuation centres, they still faced difficulties to cover themselves from the rainy weather. When they fled, these families left behind most of their possessions and are still unable to return home, fearful of the insecurity,” Christoph Polajner, head of ICRC’s office in Cotabato City, said in a statement sent to the Mindanao Examiner.
He said in total, 468 families who have taken refuge in four evacuation centers in the town – Ampatuan National High School, a local madrasah, Kauran public market and Mahat Islamic school – received a kit containing a cooking pot, bath soaps, mosquito nets, sleeping mat, tarpaulins and jerry cans. The ICRC also distributed medicine in evacuation centres to treat cases of diarrhea.
In addition, to help people injured by the armed violence, a dressing kit, antibiotics and analgesics covering the needs of about 50 patients were delivered by the ICRC to the provincial health office in Shariff Aguak. The humanitarian organization also supported medical treatment provided to five people who were wounded during the hostilities, he said.
Polajber said the ICRC will continue to monitor and assess the situation.
The ICRC is a neutral, impartial and independent humanitarian organization that assists and protects victims of armed conflict and other situations of violence. (With a report from Mark Navales)
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