MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) has been helping hundreds of internally displaced persons (IDPs) now temporarily sheltered at the sports complex in Tandag City, Surigao del Sur.
The IDPs have fled their community in Lianga town due to armed violence which erupted last September 1.
PRC chairman Richard Gordon said the humanitarian organization is working with the local government in providing support to some 628 Lumad families housed at the Oval Sports Complex in Telaje, Tandag City.
"The PRC reminds all parties to the armed violence of the need to respect human life and dignity at all times. Civilians, regardless of their religion, ethnic group, gender or political beliefs and their property, must be spared from violence," Gordon said.
Upon receiving a report on the armed conflict last week, Gordon said that PRC began preparing relief packs providing for the displaced families’ immediate needs, including food items; sleeping kits containing blanket, mosquito net and mat; jerry cans and tarpaulins.
PRC also distributed hygiene kits containing towels, laundry soap, bath soap, toothpaste, toothbrush, sanitary napkins, basin and a plastic bag.
Gordon said that the PRC Surigao Chapter has also started regularly distributing hot meals twice a day to some 13,356 individuals last September 2. It also provided treated water, distributing an average of 20,000 liters per day and initially distributing 40,000 liters.
He said that the PRC also set up a welfare desk and a first aid station and gave psychosocial support to the displaced people and the families of slain Lumad leaders Dionel Campos and Datu Juvello Sinzo, and Alternative Learning Center for Agricultural and Livelihood Development school director Emerito Samarca.
The three men were killed during the attack allegedly perpetrated by the Magahat-Bagani paramilitary forces under the 36th and 75th Infantry Battalion-Philippine Army.
"We hope that the issues will be settled upland and those who are killing and harassing people will be captured," Gordon said.