P2M per day to feed Maguindanao evacuees

Karlos Manlupig

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P2M per day to feed Maguindanao evacuees
As fighting rages in Maguindanao, the regional government is spending millions to shelter and feed thousands of displaced families

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – After more than two weeks of fighting in central Mindanao, the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) said at least 72,585 have already fled their homes and are now staying in evacuation centers. 

ARMM said the fighting has affected 11 municipalities in the province displacing more or less 14,517 families.

Here’s an initial breakdown of the towns they fled from and where they are as of Wednesday, March 11:

EVACUATED AREAS
Shariff Saydona Mustapha  1,864 families
Datu Salibo 2,119 families
Sheriff Aguak 1,582 families
Datu Saudi Ampatuan 1,329 families
Malayan 1,195 families
Datu Anggal Midtimbang 1,101 families
EVACUATION CENTERS
Mamasapano 2,637 families
Guindulungan 939 families
Talitay 712 families
Datu Unsay 784 families
Rajah Buayan 255 families

The regional government is continuing its relief efforts and is set to send fresh batches of relief and food rations on Wednesday.

ARMM executive secretary Laisa Alamia said that the regional government’s humanitarian response follows the standards of the Department of Social Welfare and Development in delivering relief goods, which is P450 per food pack.

“Every time there’s a displacement, we follow the DSWD standards at P450/food pack, excluding logistical and operational expenses,” Alamia said.

The food pack consists of rice, instant noodles and canned sardines and is being distributed per family. Each food pack is expected to provide food for 3-4 days per family. 

Based on the budget of P450 per family pack, the government needs at least P2,177,550 per day just for the food supplies of the displaced residents.

Hunt for Usman

On Tuesday, March 10, at least 2 Marine soldiers were killed in a gun battle with the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) near Mamasapano, Maguindanao.

The military launched a massive offensive against the BIFF on February 25, partly due to a manhunt on terrorist Abdul Basit Usman, who managed to get away during a January 25 Special Action Force attack in Mamasapano that killed another terrorist, Malaysian Zulkifli bin Hir (Marwan).

The series of battles in Maguindanao and North Cotabato have been the worst in the region since the signing of the peace deal between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) last year. Opposed to the peace process, the BIFF broke away from the MILF.

The military said they have killed at least 73 rebels, wounded 33 of them and captured 4 of their camps.

Before the Tuesday death of the Marines, the military already lost 4 soldiers, including a captain from the Scout Rangers, and saw 13 of its men wounded, among them an Air force pilot.

Alamia earlier said the regional government will work hard to provide the needs of the evacuees but since the fighting has not stopped food supplies might soon run out.

“If this will go on until end of the month, we will run out of supplies. It’s in the propositioning of goods that takes time. That’s why we have already requested DSWD national and UN agencies/ICRC to help,” Alamia earlier said. – Rappler.com

 

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