Cotabato City — The Department of the Interior and Local Government of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DILG-Armm) urged local government units to help alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Marawi City in any way possible.
Atty. Noor Hafizullah Abdullah, secretary of DILG-Armm, said the crisis in Marawi City calls for local governments in the region, as well as in other regions, to extend assistance especially to the needy, such as women, children, and senior citizens.
So far, local governments adjacent to Marawi City have extended significant assistance to residents displaced by the hostilities, but since most of these are 6th-class towns, Sec. Abdullah said, “They may not be able to sustain their humanitarian efforts.”
As of last week, a total of 47,957 families, or 239,878 individuals, have left Marawi City for evacuation centers in nearby towns and cities. Some have moved to homes of their relatives outside Marawi.
While the regional government has earmarked P100 million in relief assistance even as donations from various individuals and organizations are pouring in, Sec. Abdullah said Marawi residents need assistance since it may take time before the city would be fully rehabilitated and displaced families may have to stay longer in evacuation centers.
“We have also requested the provincial governments in the Armm to send their relief assistance to help those affected by the clashes, and they have already responded,” Sec. Abdullah said. He also called for breastfeeding spaces for mothers in evacuation centers. As of date, there are 41 designated evacuation centers catering to 40,573 individuals.
“In times of disaster and calamities, local governments are specifically mandated to protect our people: women, children, infants, sickly and the elderly,” Sec. Abdullah added. (armm bpi)
