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.

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Civilians fleeing the fighting in Lanao del Norte.

“This is the worst fighting in Mindanao since 2003, with the worst consequences in humanitarian terms,” says Felipe Donoso, head of the ICRC delegation in Manila. “We were used to displaced people returning to their homes after three or four days. Now, however, the situation is persisting. Moreover, their coping mechanisms have been weakened by repeated displacements due to the conflict and natural disasters.”

The ICRC expects to continue assisting displaced people on Mindanao until at least the end of 2008.

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