19th Mindanao Virtual Protection Coordination Platform (MVPCP)
Cover Message
There are 93,389 individuals currently displaced in BARMM, with armed conflict, clan feud and violence as primary causes for recent and protracted displacements. For non-BARMM areas, 182,924 individuals remain displaced. This is a nominal increase from the recorded 182,695 displaced persons in the last reporting period. The large number of IDPs in non-BARMM are in regions XI and XII, those protractedly displaced brought about by earthquakes.
MSSD BARMM presented the status report on displacement in Maguindanao. The presence of lawless elements in the Province of Maguindanao brought threats to the residents in the mountainous part of South Upi, Upi, Talayan and Datu Hoffer. These displaced families have been experiencing harassment, resulting to repeated displacements. Another harassment incident happened when a certain Municipal Kagawad was ambushed at Brgy. Lamud, South Upi creating cyclical displacement where residents south refuge to Sitio S of Brgy. Nangi, North Upi. As per validation, there are 126 displaced families from Brgy, Lamud.
Results from the Joint Assessment conducted in various municipalities were reported during the MVPCP meeting. Current situations of IDPs, needs and gaps, analysis and actions taken, and recommendation per municipality were presented. MSSD is encouraging partners who have participated in the joint assessment to provide additional information on the results of their individual assessments in assigned areas, particularly in Mamasapano. Partners are also requested to disseminate the assessment results to relevant government agencies and partners such as PDRRMO. Should partners plan to respond to the identified needs in the designated areas, they are requested to coordinate with the respective MSWOs and MDRMMOs per municipality. MSSD and partners shall jointly monitor the displacement situations in the reported areas, particularly in Datu Odin Sinsuat.
For Lanao de Sur, the recurring needs and gaps in Marawi City are as follows:
a. Hygiene and WASH: insufficient water rationing in three transitory sites (Rorogagus, Boganga and Lakeview TS) due to “twice a week only” water delivery provided by the LGU and other humanitarian actors. This was already referred to CSWO and results of CBPM was shared to UNHCR.
b. Sanitation: Households in the transitory sites have difficulty using their toilets due to full septic tanks. Currently, they are doing manual desludging which emits noxious fumes, posing is a health risk.
c. Effective hygiene practices not observed due to lack of water source and supply.
d. Food and nutrition: IDPs are having difficulties maintaining food and nutrition needs due to lack of livelihood, difficulty in accessing markets and limited food supply.
e. Livelihood: With the continued imposed community restrictions, most of the jobs and livelihood of the IDPs were hampered. Although livelihood and cash assistance were provided by government and non-government agencies to selected families. However, said livelihood assistance and cash assistance are not sustainable.
For BaSulTa provinces, ongoing tensions caused by an ambush against members of BIAF in Hadji Mohammad Ajul remain unsettled, leaving residents with fear for their safety. The affected families remain displaced (25 families) and are currently staying in a house. Urgent needs include NFIs such as mosquito nets, blankets and mats, and utensils. Partners are requested to provide the identified needs. Meanwhile, the 68th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army and the Philippine Police Force exchanged gunfire with the unidentified armed group in Camp Al-Ansar, resulting to the displacement of approximately 100 families (500 individuals) from Barangay Seronggon, Hadji Mohamad Ajul Municipality in Basilan Province. As of reporting, 40 families (approximately 200 individuals) have returned to their places of origin. In Tabuan Lasa, military operations were conducted, prompting residents to vacate their houses. After said operation, the families gradually returned to their residences and hence, no displacement reported. For Sulu, there are new displacements brought about by heavy rains affecting some barangays in Jolo, Patikul and Omar Municipalities. As per reports from MDRRMO Patikul, there are 29 families (165 individuals) displaced from the Barangay Maobo and Tando Bagua. In Jolo, there are 198 families displaced with their houses are either partially or totally damaged. Based on the reports from the BLGU, there are 75 houses that were washed out, and 51 houses are partially damaged. The displaced families are currently seeking shelter in the covered court (129 families from Brgy. Busbos, 25 families from Brgy. Takut-takut and 45 families in Brgy. Tulay).
DSWD Regional Offices are continuously monitoring the number of displaced families temporarily seeking shelter in camps and evacuation centers (ECs) and their urgent needs. For Zamboanga Siege IDPs, 77 families remain displaced across four TS (Asinan, Kasanyangan, Brgy. Mampang, Brgy. Rio Hondo, Sitio Buggoc in Kasanyangan), and 1,285 displaced families are home-based. Houses are built in the TS but without electricity. There is also significant number of minors living in the TS who are forced to beg for food (vagrancy) due to lack of livelihood activities for the displaced families. With the pandemic, children are more vulnerable to health risks brought about by COVID-19 if they will continue to beg on the streets. In Upper Hinaplanon, Iligan City there are 11 displaced families. Of which, four families are still staying in the old building while the rest are staying in the old cooperative building. Some families are comprised of the more vulnerable individuals such as pregnant women and the elderlies. The families are requesting to be relocated in Marawi, but there are no updates as to the date of relocation and other information related to their eventual relocation. Immediate needs are financial, food and shelter assistance and WASH facilities. Last 16 January 2021, the TFBM and LGU transferred some IDPs from Upper Hinaplanon community EC to Boganga TS. It is also targeted to transfer the remaining IDPs after the validation but was postponed due to heavy rains. For more information, please download the 19th MVPCP presentation.
UNHCR Philippines is working closely with key government agencies in providing response activities and services to the families forcibly displaced, ensuring that protection is at the center of all humanitarian responses. UNHCR remains steadfast in staying and delivering, especially in these challenging times.
