18th Mindanao Virtual Protection Coordination Platform (MVPCP)
Cover Message
There are 91,002 individuals currently displaced in BARMM, with majority of the displaced persons belonging in Lanao del Sur comprising 86% of the total number. Armed conflict and clan feud account for recent and protracted displacements due to warring factions and armed encounters between the government and hostile groups which occurred during the reporting period. For non-BARMM areas, 183,695 individuals remain displaced. This is a nominal increase from the recorded 182,932 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 report on displacement in Maguindanao. Lawless elements harassed Brgy. Itaw in South Upi, affecting three sitios and displacing 300 families who sought refuge in Poblacion. The pursuance of AFP against the hostile groups prompted the families to seek safer grounds. As of reporting, 80 families sought refuge in Brgy. Fugotan in Talayan. Another incident took place in South Upi last 3 January 2021 where an unidentified armed group harassed the South Upi LGU Officials and RHU Staff in a location between Brgy. Pandan and Sitio Saramuray of Brgy. Pilar, South Upi in Maguindanao. Improvised Explosive Device (IED) exploded at the side of the road resulting to the death of a 28-year-old male and injuries to four civilians. PNP and AFP troops exchanged gunfire with the unidentified armed groups for approximately an hour. As per report from the DRMM Division Chief of MSSD BARMM, the local DRRMO of Talayan is looking for ways to respond the situation. Utilizing their resources, Talayan MDRRMO is planning to provide cash assistance along with food packs and medicines from donors once the area becomes accessible as per recommendation of MPOC in Talayan. Conducting joint assessment in Talayan and other areas in South Upi is recommended to determine the over-all situation in South Upi.
For Lanao de Sur, the three transitory sites in Marawi are managed by camp administrators assigned by the city LGU. In Saguiaran, CCCM is under the supervision MSWO. Despite these, there are still sectoral issues existing in the sites which can be properly addressed by the presence/institution of CCCMs in the transitory sites.The MSSD BARMM Division Chief suggested to have bilateral meetings with the PSWOs in Lanao del Sur to assist them in establishing CCCMs (technical support). On the issue on lack of access to WASH facilities, MSSD shall be sharing this to WASH at the division level. MSSD on the regional level is currenlty working on the available resources from 2020 which can still be accessed for 2021 in order to provide support to displaced families within their jurisdiction.
For BaSulTa provinces, AFP military operations were conducted in Basilan, rendering the displaced families to decide not to return to their places of origin. There are still protractedly displaced persons in Basilan but they are home-based and they have been displaced for more than 180 days. Meanwhile, recent displacements reported are caused by clan/family feud in Mohamad Ajul, Sumisip and Tipo-Tipo. Currently, there are 447 displaced families (protracted IDPs). In Sulu, there are remaining 652 displaced familie, particularly in Patikul, which 93% of the displaced families are home-based. Displaced families in transitory sites (staying in makeshift houses) have already returned to their places of origin. Persistent issues raised by the IDPs include access to WASH, access to potable water, access to shelter (no ECs in Basilan and Sulu) and access to livelihood. For Tawi-Tawi, there are no new reported displacements. However, there is freeze in the acceptance of LSIs given the new COVID-19 strain threats, and Tawi-Tawi cordoned its borders with Sabah to preclude entry and exit of persons.
DSWD Regional Offices are continuously monitoring the number of displaced families temporarily seeking shelter in camps and evacuation centers (ECs) and their urgent needs. DSWD Field Office XII conducted validation in Polomolok and waiting for the official report. Based on the assessment, there are approximately 122 displaced families staying in the covered court in Brgy. Sumbakil (Purok 1 and 2). As per reports, four individuals died and one was injured, their identities to be determined with the LGU. Food and non-food items shall be provided to the displaced families. Needs identified include PPEs and medical assistance. For more information, please download the 18th MVPCP Presentation.
UNHCR Philippines is working closely with key government agencies in providing necessary protection needs to displaced families in Mindanao, ensuring that protection is at the core of all humanitarian responses. UNHCR is committed to stay and deliver even during these unprecedented times.
