COTABATO CITY, Philippines – School children in Marawi City and Lanao del
Sur affected by armed hostilities and now pursuing elementary studies in
temporary learning spaces (TLS) away from conflict zone will receive needed
food supplement from a foreign Muslim country, officials said today.
This, after the Turkish government through the Turk Isbirligi Ve
Koordinasyon Idaresi Baskanligi (TIKA) decided to expand is feeding program
from other ARMM areas to children displaced by war in Marawi, according to Dr.
John Magno, Department of Education (DeptEd-ARMM) regional secretary.
Magno told reporters TIKA is most known as the Turkish Cooperation and
Coordination Agency. According to TIKA representative to the Philippines Enes
Dolukup, the humanitarian partnership with DepEd will benefit thousands of
Maranao elementary pupils ejected out of their homes when Maute terrorist group
laid siege in the Islamic City in May.
“TIKA will help expand our program so we can feed more school children
now in learning centers we recently established in school campuses outside of
Marawi City,” Magno said.
TIKA will establish kitchens in school campus where the TLS are located
to provide daily nutritious food ration to pupils.
The Turk office has programs promoting economic growth, trade,
education and social development of poor citizens in Muslim Mindanao region.
DepEd-ARMM and the Department of Health along with regional
humanitarian workers have been feeding children from Marawi City with hot meals
in the morning.
A Church-based non-government organization, Gawad Kalinga and World Food
Programme are also providing food for children affected by the conflict.
Magno said the feeding program will continue as long as the school
children are still in TLS or until they are safe to return in their respective
school campuses after the conflict is over. (EOF/PNA)posted by Becky D. de Asis-The Redline News
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