Philippines: helping people cope with displacement and torrential rain

2-10-2008 Photo Collection

On 10 August 2008, the Philippine armed forces and fighters of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front resumed hostilities on the island of Mindanao. The ICRC immediately launched an emergency operation to help those forced to leave their homes by the fighting. So far, over 120,000 have received food, water and basic household items.

zoom

An internally displaced person gets a medical checkup in Lanao del Norte.

So far, there have been no epidemics among the displaced population, but the Philippine National Red Cross has been vaccinating children against measles. This is a vital precaution, as diseases can spread like wildfire when people are crammed together and measles can be fatal for a child weakened by living rough.

Since the beginning of the crisis on 10 August 2008, the ICRC has provided six health-care centres in Mindanao with medicines and supplies and has treated casualties of the fighting, displaced people and others.

photo 14