Skip to main content
Home International Committee of the Red Cross
Find help Donate
Back
  • Happening now
    Happening now

    Discover what’s new

    Stay updated with the latest news and ongoing initiatives of the ICRC.

    Latest operations

    Featured

    • A community kitchen in Myanmar
      Myanmar: One month on, earthquake survivors face continuing challenges
    • Red Cross Field Hospital aerial shot
      The Red Cross Field Hospital one year on: A lifeline and a stark reminder in Ga…
    • Red Cross staff at a water distribution
      Every attack on a humanitarian is an attack on the community they served. A sta…
  • Who we are
    Who we are

    We are the International Committee of the Red Cross

    Neutral, impartial, and independent. Discover our values and mission.

    Discover who we are
    • About us
      Our rich history, our mandate and mission, and our Fundamental Principles are behind the work we do to protect and save lives.
    • How we are run
      Our President and leadership, our finances and our accountability ensure the integrity of our humanitarian operations.
    • International Red Cross & Red Crescent Movement
      The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement is the largest humanitarian network in the world.
  • What we do
    What we do

    Our work to protect people affected by conflict

    The ICRC responds quickly and efficiently to help people affected by armed conflict.

    All our activities

    In focus

    • ICRC working with the Myanmar Red Cross Society to support people displaced by violence in Pin Laung and Hsi Hseng, to provide emergency aid. Photographer: Thang Khan Sian Khai
      Protection: Upholding the rights of people in conflict
    • Reconnecting families: Preventing separation, searching for the missing, reunit…
    • Helping detainees: Protecting and assisting people deprived of their liberty
  • Where we work
    Where we work

    Explore our global reach

    We have offices in over 90 countries around the world, providing assistance and protection to people affected by conflict.

    ICRC around the world

    Key operations

    • Democratic Republic of the Congo
    • Ethiopia
    • Israel and the occupied territories
    • Lebanon
    • Myanmar
    • Sudan
    • Syria
    • Ukraine
    • Yemen
  • Law & Policy
    Law & Policy

    Law & Policy

    Gain insights into the ICRC's role in developing and promoting international humanitarian law and policy.

    Discover more
    • Geneva Conventions and the law
      Even wars have rules. The Geneva Conventions are at the core of international humanitarian law.
    • Topics, debates and disarmament
      Weapons and disarmament, protected persons and other contemporary challenges for international humanitarian law.
    • Teaching IHL, research, Advisory Service and other resources
      We support the teaching, learning and implementation of humanitarian law principles.
  • Support us
    Support us

    Partner with us

    We invite organizations, institutions and philanthropists to join us in our mission to alleviate the suffering of those affected by armed conflict.

    How to partner with us

    Support us

    Find out how you as an individual can contribute to our humanitarian efforts to help people suffering because of armed conflict.

    How to support us
    • Ukraine: the crisis continues
    • Urgent: Israel-Gaza emergency appeal
    • Myanmar_Red Cross earthquake
      Urgent help needed: Myanmar earthquakes
  • Find help
  • Donate
  • Events
  • Contact us
  • Report an incident of misconduct
  • Work with us
  • FAQ
ICRC Websites
Photo gallery
20-04-2015

Philippines: Displaced Maguindanaons face uncertain future

  • Philippines
  • Protected persons: Internally displaced persons

Share

  • Share on X
  • Share on LinkedIn
  • Share on Facebook
CC BY-NC-ND / ICRC / L. Dela Cruz

Maguindanao, Philippines.

Since the fighting between government forces and armed groups erupted in March, Puya Bahal, 59, and his family have stayed together in this makeshift tent. “We fear being caught in conflict,” says Bahal.

CC BY-NC-ND / ICRC / L. Dela Cruz

Maguindanao, Philippines.

Three months ago, Norhatta Manalindo tied the knot with Mahmud. This improvised tent has become their temporary home. Norhatta shares, “We never had a honeymoon.”

CC BY-NC-ND / ICRC / L. Dela Cruz

Maguindanao, Philippines.

A woman does her laundry in a murky stream near the Mahad Madia evacuation centre in the municipality of Datu Saudi Ampatuan, in Maguindanao.

CC BY-NC-ND / ICRC / L. Dela Cruz

Maguindanao, Philippines.

Despite the difficult conditions and uncertainty of the situation, displaced families choose to stay together in cramped spaces in evacuation centres.

CC BY-NC-ND / ICRC / L. Dela Cruz

Maguindanao, Philippines.

While many are in evacuation centres, others opt to stay in makeshift tents, which hardly protect them from the heat of the sun.

Thousands of evacuees in Maguindanao province, in southern Philippines, are in the grip of uncertainty following the month-long clashes between government armed forces and armed groups in March. Irregular skirmishes prevent displaced families from returning to their homes.

Life is difficult enough under normal circumstances for the evacuees. Now it has become a real struggle, especially that the dry spell affecting the province has increased the vulnerability of the displaced population.

Related articles

Photo gallery
29-12-2023

Mozambique: 2023 in pictures

Photo gallery
21-12-2023

Myanmar: The year 2023 in pictures

Photo gallery
27-06-2022

ICRC seed and cash assistance throughout Ethiopia

More photo galleries

Topic-dedicated ICRC websites

Explore our blogs, apps, reviews and other resources dedicated to humanitarian impact, insight, law and policy.

ICRC Websites

Direct access

  • Find help
  • Donate
  • Events
  • Contact us
  • Report an incident of misconduct
  • Work with us
  • FAQ

Newsletter

Fields marked with * are required
To learn how we process your data, visit our Privacy Notice.
  • Accessibility
  • Copyright
  • Privacy policy
  • Tax deduction
  • Privacy Settings
  • Community guidelines

Terms and conditions - ICRC ©2025 - All right reserved