EC provides additional funds for IDPs in Mindanao

MANILA, Philippines - The European Commission (EC) has allocated an additional 5 million euros (about P330 million) in humanitarian aid to assist internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Mindanao.

Currently, more than 100,000 people remain displaced as a result of conflict since 2008, most of them living in difficult conditions in evacuation centers, relocation sites or with host families.

Ambassador Alistair MacDonald, head of the EU Delegation in Manila, said this further assistance for IDPs reaffirms the EU’s longstanding commitment to help alleviate the plight of victims of man-made or natural disasters, whether in Mindanao or Manila.

“This new assistance will continue our help to the IDPs with food, shelter and basic health-care, as well as assisting their host communities. The EC funding will also be able to help the IDPs as they return to their homes and re-establish their livelihoods when this becomes safely possible,” MacDonald said.

He noted also that, including this new grant, the EC has provided a total of 17.5 million euros (approx P 1.13 billion) in humanitarian or rehabilitation assistance for IDPs in Mindanao over the last 18 months. This is in addition to the 19.5 million euros (approx P 1.26 billion) provided last year by the EU as a whole (including 10.5 million euros from EU Member States plus 9 million euros from the EC) for the victims of typhoons “Ondoy” and “Pepeng” in Manila and elsewhere in Luzon last year.

The new funding for IDPs in Mindanao will cover food aid and nutritional surveillance – including feeding programs for children – as well as water and sanitation, shelter, protection, basic health care, and psycho-social activities for displaced children who rarely attend school.

The areas to be covered under this grant include Maguindanao, North Cotabato, Lanao del  Sur and Lanao del Norte, and other provinces if necessary. The EC funding will be implemented by international organizations and non-governmental organizations, the Red Cross/Red Crescent, and specialized UN agencies, in close coordination with concerned government agencies.

The Commission is also implementing a disaster preparedness program in the Philippines to improve the coping capacities of communities prone to natural disasters, so that they are better able to prepare and protect themselves. — Pia Lee-Brago