ARMM spends PHP35-M for Marawi humanitarian aid

COTABATO CITY, Philippines  - The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Friday reported it has already spent PHP35 million for humanitarian response and aid to displace families in the 23 days of Marawi crisis.

ARMM Gov. Mujiv Hataman said the amount covers urgent relief for over 200,000 individuals now based in evacuation centers, house-based evacuees and those temporarily sheltered in the region’s operation center.

In a news conference, Hataman said the government is attending to the needs of IDPs not only as an obligation but moral responsibility of Muslims over brother and sister Muslims.

“We need to help ease the burden and alleviate the suffering of the people of Marawi,” Hataman said. The city is a component city of the ARMM.

He said the regional government has still enough funds to sustain humanitarian response. He added the region has already spent half of its PHP77 million allotted for Marawi situation response.

Data from the ARMM’s crisis management committee showed the regional government served relief packs to 200,234 evacuees and provided medical services to 4,003 individuals.

The committee responds to the emergency needs of the Marawi residents through a 24/7 emergency helpline.

Since the conflict started more than three weeks ago, the crisis management committee, managed to save about 5,132 individuals trapped or stranded during the conflict in the city.

Citing military and local officials’ reports, Hataman said an estimated 1,079 individuals remained trapped inside the battle zone and efforts continue to bring them out alive.

Aside from food provisions, ARMM also attended to the health needs of IDPs in evacuation centers in Iligan City.

To ensure equal and timely relief distribution to individuals struggling with the situation in Marawi City, the ARMM uses a system dubbed Disaster Assistance and Family Access Card (DAFAC).

The system is applied by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to validate the status of families affected by the crisis, which will serve as a reference in the provision of appropriate interventions.

Lawyer Laisa Alamia, ARMM executive secretary, said the regional government will use DAFAC in future rehabilitation and recovery programs for Marawi City.

Alamia asked residents to register with DSWD for proper documentation. “We are encouraging residents of Marawi City, whether staying in the evacuation centers or not, to register with their social welfare office," Alamia added.

Alamia also said the government has been following protocols in humanitarian response and everything appears to be smooth. She stressed DSWD-ARMM, is the lead agency manning the operation center established in the municipality of Malabang in Lanao del Sur. (EOF/PNA)