Survey on to assess needs of M’danao conflict victims

An extensive household survey to assess the needs of conflict victims and evacuees is currently undertaken by several non-government organizations in Mindanao.

At present, more than 1,000 evacuees in North Cotabato have been interviewed by Minland Inc., one of the NGOS commissioned by the World Bank to conduct the survey as part of the ongoing Mindanao Social Assessment Project (MinSAP).

Minland executive director Damaso Vertido said his group has so far interviewed evacuees in the four areas of North Cotabato: Barangay Sundungan in Upper President Roxas, Barangay Molao in Kabacan, and Barangays Natutungan and Iliang in Matalam. The evacuees are temporarily staying in government tents, public schools or madrasah centers, or in warehouse-type rehabilitation areas.

Another NGO, MinPhil., Inc. which is part of MinSAP, is currently conducting household surveys of conflict-affected victims and evacuees in Maguindanao, Sultan Kudarat and Davao del Norte.

The World Bank has also commissioned two other NGOs – CFSI and Planades – to conduct a separate assessment of the needs and aspirations of victims and evacuees in Basilan, Sulu, Cotabato and Maguindanao.

Figures from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) showed that more than one million residents in North and South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Basilan, Sulu and Maguindanao were displaced and adversely affected because of the protracted armed conflicts and an all-out war waged last year by government against the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. To date, about 80,000 persons have yet to return to their places of origin, according to DSWD.

Vertido said the results of the household surveys will be used for the focus group discussions – involving barangay and religious leaders, businessmen, women, and the youth – and interviews of selected key persons in the community. Thereafter, community organizing activities will be conducted to help the victims and evacuees identify and formulate infrastructure and livelihood projects.

Last September, Minland, MinPhil and CFSI conducted a preliminary survey in an evacuation center in General Luna, Carmen, North Cotabato, where more than 50 family households were staying.

In that survey, evacuees said they were expecting that their conditions would improve with the assistance of concerned sectors, particularly government, and that they will have to do it themselves through their own initiative and determination. They added that their barangay officials and religious leaders would have to work as a team, and agree on a common development agenda in rebuilding their community.

For his part, MinSAP project team leader Dr. Fermin Adriano said it will take eight to ten months to complete the whole process – from the surveys, focus group discussions, local meetings and consultations. He said the final MinSAP report will also contain recommendations and interventions that need to be undertaken to rehabilitate and reconstruct conflict-affected communities.

Through these participatory processes, Adriano said, "we will be able to capture their real sentiments and aspirations, and their perceptions on how to solve their current predicament, how to rebuild their lives and their respective communities, and how to attain lasting peace."

"As the conflict-affected victims and other residents participate in the formulation of their respective community development projects, they then have a stake in their implementation. The projects therefore are more acceptable, relevant, and thus responsive to their needs," Adriano noted.

Last year’s all-out war and armed conflicts have caused tremendous damage to lives and property. The DSWD estimates that as of November 5, 2001, some 188,575 families or 1,002,855 individuals were displaced and adversely affected. Casualties have reached 1,023 persons – military and MILF combatants, and civilians alike – of whom 517 died, 505 wounded and one missing. About 9,036 houses were damaged, of which 6,455 were totally destroyed or burned down.

To protect and assist civilians caught in the crossfire, government undertook needed relief and rehabilitation activities. As of November 2001, the DSWD said the total cost of assistance to evacuees and conflict-affected victims has amounted to P350 million – in the form of relief and medical supplies, construction of bunk houses, core shelters and evacuation centers, food for work, and administrative and operational expenses.