22nd Mindanao Virtual Protection Coordination Platform (MVPCP) Meeting
Cover Message
Dear Partners,
As of 2 March 2021, there are 65,543 individuals currently displaced in BARMM, with armed conflict, clan feud and violence and natural disaster as primary causes for recent and protracted displacements. For non-BARMM areas, 257,567 individuals remain displaced. This is a significant increase from the recorded 182,347 displaced persons in the last reporting period. The majority number of displacements are brought about by flooding, earthquakes and armed conflict which occurred within the five regions covered by non-BARMM areas.
UNHCR introduced the new Head of Field Office (HoFO) in Cotabato, Ms. Corazon Lagamayo. The HoFO commended the valuable work and commitment of the protection partners in ensuring the protection of the internally displaced persons (IDPs) and support to the platform. She also thanked MSSD BARMM in leading the platform. She emphasized that despite the nationalization of UNHCR, its advocacy to protect the IDPs remains unchanged. She also stated that in view of UNHCR High Commissioner’s IDP policy, UNHCR is aiming to disengage by 2022. She further stressed that the protection of IDPs is not the sole responsibility of UNHCR but the entire inter-agency system. She also shared the key priorities of UNHCR in 2021 and 2022, such as strengthening the legal and policy framework, capacitating the technical expertise of various duty bearers, and promoting social cohesion and durable solutions for IDPs. MSSD BARMM warmly welcomed the new UNHCR HoFO and stated that UNHCR’s nationalization is a welcome development.
MSSD BARMM presented the status report on displacement in Maguindanao. MSSD BARMM provided seed capital fund for displaced families which are capable of establishing small business. With regard to the conduct of assessments, it is recommended that the Municipal Social Welfare Officers (MSWO) and the regional level (BARMM) commence discussions and coordinate with the Municipal Peace and Order Council (MPOC) concerning access to target sites and to suggest to MPOC to discuss the access to target sites during its regular meeting. MSWO will coordinate with Datu Salibo LGU on the requests for assistance coming from the said LGU.
For Lanao de Sur, assistance was sought to humanitarian partners, WASH cluster member agencies and Ministry of Health (MoH) to initially provide WASH assistance to the displaced families in Marawi. Assessment results and required budget will be shared to the agencies which have resources to conduct desludging and water rationing to those areas which are in critical need of desludging. Joint assessment is also targeted to be conducted with the WASH partners. Also, MSSD BARMM is requesting protection partners to extend assistance in responding to the immediate needs of the areas in Marawi, particularly desludging and water rationing.
UNHCR shared that Pangi Bakwit is a privately funded transitory site (TS) and the contract stipulated that the TS can only be used for five years. As per monitoring, there is no definite resolution whether the IDPs can still stay in the transitory site. Moreover, the camp management is also handled by private individuals, which run contrary to the DRMM law. MSSD BARMM shall follow-up on the contract of IDPs in terms of their stay in the Matungao and Pangi Bakwit TS. MSSD BARMM is also seeking assistance from partners in extending aid for the immediate protection needs of the IDPs in Marawi, such as food assistance, or coordinate with regional office should they intend to provide goods and the regional office will be the one to distribute them in Marawi and Bangsamoro Communities Outside of BARMM (BCO-BARMM), in coordination with partners who are already operating on the ground.
For BaSulTa provinces, persisting issues were presented in various municipalities in Basilan, particularly in Hadji Mohammad Ajul Municipality, such as:
a. Limited support extended to the displaced families both by government and humanitarian agencies;
b. Some displaced families expressed anxiety over the shortage of food if displacement continues for a longer period of time; and
c. 25 families are cramped in the displacement site located in Brgy. Langog and hence, social distancing is not observed, and lack of privacy is evident.
TKI shared that there is a concerned citizen from Basilan who shared the incident in Manila wherein 10 construction workers (originally from Basilan and alleged as members or acquainted with the Abu Sayyaf Group [ASG]) were captured. They were not given an opportunity to be heard and to defend their side. This incident recurred last 27 February where certain individuals (construction workers originating form Basilan) were captured. As per update, initial discussions led by the Basilan LGU were conducted. MSSD BARMM requested for an incident report from TKI and forward the same to the regional level, Bangsamoro Human Rights Commission, Ministers and other relevant agencies.
DSWD Regional Offices and City Social Welfare Offices are continuously monitoring the number of displaced families temporarily seeking shelter in camps and evacuation centers (ECs) and their urgent needs. The municipal government of Omar, Sulu is also seeking augmentation assistance, such as 500 family food packs and 500 hygiene kits for the CoVID-19 affected families in Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.
For the updates on the implementation of Z3R, a meeting (LIAC) was conducted to discuss concerns in the TS, such as electricity, housing, treatment plants and water issues. As per update, temporary shelters are being constructed in Omar Property. Site inspection was also conducted. National Housing Authority and City Engineering were present during land filling. CHR Region IX will share the said report with UNHCR for circulation to partners.
CHR Region X shared that they have conducted visits to the other IDPs sites in Marawi City last year and stated that the IDPs are being provided with assistance, particularly those 52 displaced families which are home-based and in Matungao, and 17 displaced families in Lomondot Compound. There are also displaced families in Majad Al Nor who are not being given assistance.
DSWD Caraga FO shared that in relation to the tropical storm Auring which affected the region, 60 LGUs with around 68,388 displaced families (approximately 251,676 individuals) were affected. 44,883 families (162,125 individuals) are inside the ECs, and 10,776 families (41,336 individuals) are outside ECs. Moreover, 1,186 damaged houses were reported. Of which, 338 houses were totally damaged, and 848 houses were partially damaged. As of 1 March 2021, the affected LGU extended assistance to the affected families within their localities. DSWD extended food and non-food items ranging from family food packs, hygiene kits and kitchen kits. There is only one LGU (Marihatag) which has IDPs and they are currently staying in the EC. For more information, please download the 22nd MVPCP PowerPoint Presentation.
UNHCR Philippines is working closely with key government agencies in providing response activities and services to the families forcibly displaced, ensuring that protection is at the center of all humanitarian responses. UNHCR remains steadfast in staying and delivering, especially in these challenging times.
