Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Judy M. Taguiwalo today shared some updates on its interventions to help Filipinos caught in the middle of the armed conflict between the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Maute Group in Butig, Lanao del Sur that began  November 26, 2016. Residents have been forced to evacuate because of the clash.

Based on reports of DSWD Field Office XII, there are 2,450 families or 12,250 persons affected in 8 barangays in Butig.

Source: DSWD-FO XII

Of this number, 415 families or 2,075 persons are still in three evacuation centers while 2,035 families or 10,175 persons are staying with their relatives and friends.

Source: DSWD-FO XII

Situational Reports

The following are the situations in areas affected by the armed conflict based on the initial report from DSWD-FO XII:

Source: DSWD-FO XII

Status of Stockpile and Standby Funds

As of 29 November 2016, the available level of stockpile and standby funds at FO XII, National Resource Operations Center (NROC) and Central Office (CO) are as follows:

*Available Quick Response Fund (QRF) at the DSWD-Central Office as of 21 November 2016

Source: DSWD-FO XII, NROC, and CO

“We want to help ensure the safety and welfare of Filipinos affected by the military operations. At the moment we are certain – as reported by DSWD Field Office XII – that at least 2,000 people or 415 have taken refuge in three different evacuation centers. We are also certain that for every family that evacuated, there are at least two children with them. The DSWD’s mandate is to help provide for  the immediate needs of the evacuees and watch out for the health of the more vulnerable among them, namely the children, any pregnant women, and senior citizens,” said Sec. Taguiwalo.

“We will continue to coordinate with the local authorities to address the immediate needs of the evacuees, and protect them from further difficulties and crises that arise from the armed conflict. We are also well aware of issues of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and human rights, so we shall also be monitoring for any untoward incidents that can be construed as violations of the same as we monitor the plight of the evacuees,” she concluded. #