Protection Brief: Maguindanao Ongoing Displacement Concern
The ARMM authorities have publicly stated that all displaced families (Mindanao Cross, 27 June 2015, pg 10) affected by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) conflict have returned to their communities of origin. However, UNHCR and partners continue to identify IDPs in evacuation centers and those hosted by relatives. UNHCR’s most recent estimate of IDPs is around 10,800 persons.
Protection concerns remain and continue to plague IDPs both in places of displacement, including informal ECs and the home-based IDPs. In some locations protection problems are exacerbated with the onset of the rainy season. The lack of continuous tracking of remaining IDPs after a large displacement is a serious protection concern as often, this population includes some of the most vulnerable IDPs unable to fend for themselves or make a decision about returning to their community of origin.
At this time, and except for the launching of the new Mosque and construction of the bridge in Barangay Tukanalipao, Mamasapano, there has been minimal assistance provided or support for rehabilitation in communities of origin by the authorities. Apart from some NGO activities, there has been no systematic returnee monitoring in the communities of origin to identify protection concerns.
UNHCR Protection Brief Maguindanao Displacement