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Philippines: ICRC president stresses need to resolve plight of Zamboanga displaced

27-08-2014 News Release 14/151

Geneva/Manila (ICRC) – Peter Maurer, president of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), concluded his first official visit to the Philippines today. During his three-day stay, Mr Maurer met with the Philippine president, Benigno Simeon Aquino III, and other high-level officials to discuss the humanitarian situation in the country, notably the challenges faced by the thousands of people who remain displaced in Zamboanga City.

Mr Maurer also visited Typhoon Haiyan survivors on Samar Island in the Visayas region, and assessed rebuilding efforts supported by the ICRC and the Philippine Red Cross.

"I left Samar impressed by the resilience of the people I met there. In the hardest-hit areas, some survivors still need help to rebuild their homes and incomes," he said. "During my meetings with government officials in Manila, I reiterated the need for a durable solution for displaced people in Zamboanga, who are still living in difficult conditions nearly a year after the fighting came to an end in the city. I also underlined the ICRC’s commitment to help communities in different parts of the country to recover and rebuild amid long-standing cycles of violence and poverty."

In the meetings, the ICRC president also discussed an initiative launched with the national authorities in 2007 to tackle overcrowding and improve health conditions in prisons. With overcrowding still a serious issue in many facilities, Mr Maurer pledged ongoing ICRC support and urged officials to continue their efforts.

"The relationship we have built up with the authorities in the Philippines is very constructive and allows for frank exchange on the issues that matter, which is essential to our work," he said. "I am also convinced that the ICRC’s strong operational partnership with the Philippine Red Cross will continue to be indispensable to our efforts to respond promptly and efficiently to disasters, whether man-made or natural."

The ICRC provides a wide variety of humanitarian services in the Philippines, aiming for example to improve people's access to water, their livelihoods, and the health care available to them. In addition, ICRC delegates visit detainees across the country, particularly those held in connection with hostilities between the government and armed groups. The organization has carried out humanitarian activities in the Philippines since the Second World War and has had a permanent presence in the country since 1982.

For further information, please contact:
Allison Lopez, ICRC Manila, tel: +63 908 868 6884
Wolde Gabriel Saugeron, ICRC Manila, tel: +63 918 907 2125
Ewan Watson, ICRC Geneva, tel: +41 22 730 33 45 or +41 79 244 64 70


Photos

ICRC president Peter Maurer meets Philippine president Benigno Simeon Aquino III to discuss pressing humanitarian issues. 

Malacañang Palace, Manila, Philippines.
As part of his first visit to the country, ICRC president Peter Maurer meets Philippine president Benigno Simeon Aquino III to discuss pressing humanitarian issues.
© Malacañang photo

Over nine months after the conflict, more than 10,000 people are still living in the Joaquin Enriquez Memorial Stadium – the largest evacuation centre in Zamboanga. 

Joaquin Enriquez Memorial Stadium, Zamboanga, Philippines.
Over nine months after the conflict, more than 10,000 people are still living in the Joaquin Enriquez Memorial Stadium – the largest evacuation centre in Zamboanga.
/ CC BY-NC-ND / ICRC / M. R. Hassan / v-p-ph-e-00897

Just over 25 years ago, Mrs Corazon Aquino, then President of the Phillippines (and mother to current president Benigno Aquino III) met Cornelio Sommaruga, then president of the ICRC, at the organization's Geneva headquarters. 

Geneva, Switzerland.
A moment in history: just over 25 years ago, Mrs Corazon Aquino, then President of the Phillippines (and mother to current president Benigno Aquino III) met Cornelio Sommaruga, then president of the ICRC, at the organization's Geneva headquarters.
/ CC BY-NC-ND / ICRC / B. Plantier / v-p-vis-n-00118-34

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