23rd Mindanao Virtual Protection Coordination Platform (MVPCP) Meeting
Cover Message
Dear Partners,
As of 13 April 2021, there are 135,413 individuals currently displaced in BARMM, with armed conflict, clan feud and violence and natural disaster as primary causes for recent and protracted displacements. The recent armed conflict in the SPMS Box in Maguindanao contributed to the substantial increase in the displacement in BARMM as of this reporting. For non-BARMM areas, 170,055 individuals remain displaced as of this reporting. This is a significant decrease from the recorded 257,567 displaced persons in the last reporting period. Despite the decrease, majority number of displacements are brought about by flooding and earthquakes, armed conflict, and clan feud which occurred within the five regions covered by non-BARMM areas.
The Chief Division Officer of Disaster Risk Reduction and Management in BARMM, Hasim Guiamil, stated that there is still an ongoing displacement in Maguindanao Province, and there are protractedly displaced families in Marawi City who are currently staying in transitory sites albeit the start of Ramadan. Pockets of displacement are also occurring in island provinces which need to be discussed.
On a separate note, UNHCR introduced the IDP Profiling and Response Tracking (i-PART) Tool. This is a tool spearheaded by UNHCR and IOM which provides various levels of information regarding IDP profiling and response tracking of different humanitarian actors. This is in lieu of the manual taking of DAFAC, in which i-PART shall utilize digitalized information to individual, family, and evacuation center (EC) level information through information gathering from the household heads per family. The entire documentation of individual household and EC level of information, including the 4Ws, will be put into the i-PART system. Staff were deployed to proceed to the ECs and gather information to be populated in the i-PART. Further, issues, responses and gaps are identified, and incident monitoring is also conducted. The product of this tool is reflected in the displacement snapshot, response monitoring and incident dashboard. Link of the i-PART is shared to partners.
MSSD BARMM presented the status report on displacement in Maguindanao. Go and see visits were deferred given that the local government units (LGU) encouraged the displaced families to return to their places of origin in view of Ramadan, and the security forces guaranteed the safe return of the internally displaced persons (IDPs). LGU of Datu Saudi Ampatuan (DSA) provided vehicles which will accommodate the return of the IDPs to their places of origin.
For Lanao de Sur, an armed encounter between ISIS and Armed Forces of the Philippines ensued in Guimba, Marawi City. No displacement happened. Also, MSSD BARMM will look into the WASH issue in Dulay as raised during the meeting. Issues in Bongaga transitory site were already raised in MRP; WASH responses shall be continuously provided based on the resources available.
In Basilan Province, 58 families in Sitio Obal, Brgy. Guiong in Sumisip Municiplaity were displaced last 16 March. MSSD BARMM highlighted that the Social Welfare Officers (SWOs) in Basilan are devolved and hence, there are no SWOs directly reporting to MSSD BARMM. Thus, the resources are directly identified by the LGUs. MSSD BARMM is currently arranging the Memorandum of Agreement with the provincial government. Nevertheless, MSSD BARMM is on standby and can augment the resources of the provincial government upon request.
Rido/clan feuds are gradually being settled in Sulu through the provincial government. Assessments were conducted in order to determine the issues of the feuding families, and the provincial government is attempting to resolve the issues whenever possible.
For Tawi-Tawi, 18 families coming from Sulu are currently displaced; assessment on the displaced families is ongoing. There is planned transitory shelter to be built by LGU and supported by MSSD BARMM.
DSWD Regional Offices and City Social Welfare Offices are continuously monitoring the number of displaced families temporarily seeking shelter in camps and evacuation centers (ECs) and their urgent needs. The 93
families in Masepla transitory sites (TS) which are “tagged” are supposed to be transferred to their permanent shelters, but said transfer was deferred as the construction of the permanent shelters is ongoing. Moreover, there are 12 families who remain displaced in Rio Hondo TS, and they are scheduled for transfer to their permanent shelters. These families are considered for special program relative to employment of students and they are eligible to avail of livelihood activities.
LGU Kauswagan reported flash flood incident in the area. 969 family food packs, kitchen kits and sleeping kits were provided to the displaced families who returned to their places of origin after the flood subsided. In Bacolod Municipality, 235 family food packs and hygiene kits were provided to displaced families due to flash flood. On 15 March 2021, an armed encounter between the AFP and NPA ensued in San Fernando, Bukidnon, resulting to the displacement of 37 families and prompting the LGU to open a temporary evacuation area. LGU extended four sacks of rice and DSWD provided 111 family food packs and 37 hygiene kits. The families returned to their places of origin.
On 12 March 2021, a fire incident occurred in Tambacan, resulting to the displacement of 20 families. Eight houses were totally burned and five were partially damaged. LGU and DSWD X provided sacks of rice and family food packs.
On 31 March 2021, an armed encounter ensued between AFP and NPA in Sitio Salingsing in Iligan City, resulting to the displacement of 376 families. DSWD extended family food packs, hygiene kits and kitchen kits to the displaced families. For more information, please download the 23rd MVPCP PowerPoint 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 unprecedented times.
