14th Mindanao Virtual Protection Coordination Platform (MVPCP)
Cover Message
There are 98,370 individuals currently displaced in BARMM, with majority of the displaced persons belonging in Lanao del Sur comprising 80% of the total number. Armed conflict, clan feud and natural hazards account for recent and protracted displacements due to warring factions, armed encounters between the government and hostile groups, and torrential flooding during the reporting period.
For non-BARMM areas, 189,916 individuals remain displaced. This is an increase from the recorded 184,714 displaced persons in the last reporting period. The majority number of displacements comes from Region XI, which embraces 63% of the total figure reported.
MSSD BARMM presented the status overview of flashflood in Maguindanao, with 17 municipalities affected by downpour in Maguindanao Province. As of 26 October 2020, there are 61,286 flood affected families and 306,430 individuals in 148 barangays of 17 municipalities. MSSD also presented the status of IDPs in Maguindanao. Currently, there are 626 families (3,130 individuals) displaced. Expressed needs are WASH facilities, determination of long-term effective preparedness and flood prevention, and provision of food and non-food items and shelter materials for the affected families.
For Protection updates on the island provinces, there are reported displacements in Mohammad Ajul Municipality and Lamitan City due to armed conflict and flooding, respectively. For Sulu Province on the Balik Barangay Program, about 209 families returned to their places of origin on 5 November 2020 and these families have commenced reconstruction of their houses. UNHCR shall provide assistance to these families. For Tawi-Tawi, there is new displacement reported in Brgy. Sapa-Sapa in Bongao Municipality due to storm surge brought by Tropical Storm Pepito. On 19 October 2020, 46 Sama Bajau families (85 individuals) were reported displaced and 46 houses were destroyed by sea waves. The displaced families are currently seeking shelter in an elementary school. The expressed needs by the IDPs are food and NFIs such as tents, kitchen sets and hygiene kits. MSSD BARMM would like to inform the body that Marawi LGU targeted 24 MAA barangays and they shall be providing the Bangsamoro Sagip Kabuhayan. They have already submitted the list and MSSD is in the process of validating the veracity of the beneficiaries form different MAAs. Moreover, MSSD BARMM is requesting the body to provide them with the data/list of families affected for data validation.
DSWD Regional Offices are continuously monitoring the number of displaced families temporarily seeking shelter in camps and evacuation centers (ECs) and their urgent needs. Affected areas by the Tropical Depression “Ofel” in the Special Geographic Areas (SGA) of BARMM include two municipalities in North Cotabato (12 SGA barangays). Protection issues and needs identified are standby water transportation, contract of communicable and water-borne diseases including COVID-19, sleeping materials, core relief items, hygiene kits, WASH facilities and food items. In Region XII, Municipalities of Kabacan and Pikit in North Cotabato are affected by Tropical Depression “Ofel” and “Pepito”. Identified needs are laminated sacks, family food packs, sleeping mats and hygiene kits. Other displacement incidences include earthquake in North Cotabato, clan feud in Pikit, North Cotabato and flashfloods in Palimbang and Lambayong, Sultan Kudarat. Identified Protection issues and needs by the IDPs in these municipalities include limited accessible latrines, unsafe water for drinking and provision of mosquito nets, kitchen kits and plastic mats, among others. For more information on displacement and humanitarian responses, please see the 14th MVPCP PowerPoint presentation.
UNHCR Philippines is continuously working closely with key government agencies and protection partners in responding to the needs of those forcibly displaced, ensuring that the protection is at the centrality of all humanitarian responses and remaining steadfast in its commitment to stay and deliver.
