ICRC alarmed as Maranaos still homeless

By Erwin M. Mascariñas
Correspondent .

“The wounds that do not bleed are the wounds that become scars. And these are the most painful because they will always leave something to look at.”

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) delegation in the Philippines has expressed concern as 100,000 people are still homeless two years since the siege of Marawi City.

“Despite the numerous aid efforts that have truly helped those in need over the two years, the people of Marawi have grown tired and frustrated. They want to stand on their own feet again and stop depending on assistance,” said Martin Thalmann, head of ICRC delegation in the Philippines.

The ICRC revealed in the report that, the conflict has left more vulnerable groups, such as families of missing people and victims of violence, with “invisible” scars, the deep scars left by the 2017 conflict in Marawi City, continue to haunt over 100,000 people who still do not have a home to return to.

Whether they’ve been living with relatives or are in evacuation centers and transition sites, the displaced people of Marawi struggle for access to potable water, viable livelihood opportunities and most importantly, permanent shelters.

Mel, not his real name, a 34-year-old resident who was severely traumatized by the Marawi conflict stated that, “The wounds that do not bleed are the wounds that become scars. And these are the most painful because they will always leave something to look at. Something that will always bring back memories of what happened. Nevertheless, it is still important because it is still a lesson.”

Mel together with 700 people are among those given care under the ICRC’s mental health and psychosocial support programme which was launched on October 2018.

“They need sustained support to recover mentally from the trauma caused by the conflict that has affected their overall well-being,” Thalmann said.

Talking about the ICRC’s next step, Thalmann said the organization would work on strengthening the capacity of the public health system in the area of psychosocial support to victims of violence.

The ICRC, with its partner the Philippine Red Cross, has been supporting people affected since the onset of the Marawi conflict. People who were injured during the fighting received ICRC support to cover the cost of their medical treatment. Those with physical disabilities as result of injuries were supported by ICRC to receive prosthesis and physiotherapy.

The organization continues to help the displaced people by restoring sources of income and improving access to water and sanitation in various sites. It has also been working with families whose loved ones went missing due to the conflict.

“We have been filling the gaps in the recovery response in coordination with the authorities and other aid organizations. But we can only do so much. The authorities still have the primary responsibility of providing sustainable solutions to help the people of Marawi,” Thalmann said.

The ICRC is a neutral, impartial and independent organization whose exclusively humanitarian mission is to protect the lives and dignity of victims of armed conflict and other situations of violence and to provide them with assistance.