Some 12,000 families remain displaced as a result of the armed conflict in Marawi City more than a year ago.
To date, there are 12,806 internally displaced families in Marawi. One-thousand, six-hundred seventy-five are still staying inside evacuation centers while 11,131 are temporarily staying with relatives and friends in Regions 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, Caraga, and Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development has provided R1,769,307,357.20 in assistance to 75,752 families.
These include relief assistance, livelihood assistance, cash-for-work, and Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations such as medical, transportation, and “Balik Probinsya.”
The DSWD is reiterating its call to uphold the protection of civilians, particularly the vulnerable sectors, during incidents of armed conflict.
DSWD joins the celebration of the International Humanitarian Law Month, with the theme, “Kaligtasan ng Mamamayan sa Panahon ng Digmaan, Sama-sama nating Pagtulungan,” which emphasizes the protection of victims of war and armed conflict, such as the families affected by the Marawi siege.
“In times of war, it is the vulnerable sectors like children, women, older persons, and those with disabilities who are the most affected. Oftentimes, in the ensuing chaos, their human rights are violated,” DSWD Secretary Virginia Orogo said.
“We are appealing to all parties, combatants, and non-combatants alike, to always uphold the rights of people caught in armed conflict. It is painful enough that families are forced to flee their homes and their livelihood, while they are deprived of the opportunity to live a normal life,” she added. (Ellalyn V. Ruiz)