Mindanao Displacement Dashboard, May 2021
In May 2021, an estimate total number of 1,513 families (approximately 7,479 individuals) were displaced in Mindanao due to natural disasters (5,310 individuals), armed conflict (1,654 individuals), and crime and violence (515 individuals). Out of the 1,513 families displaced throughout the month, 50.96% (771 families) have returned to their places of origin by the end of May, leaving 49.04% (742 families or approximately 3,629 individuals) still displaced by the end of the reporting period. As of the 31st of May, an estimate total number of 30,180 families (approximately 154,835 individuals) are currently displaced in Mindanao.
Meanwhile, UNHCR participated in the 2nd Joint Maguindanao/Emergency Operation Center-Mindanao Humanitarian Team (EOC-MHT) Meeting last 6 May 2021. Said meeting was also attended by Maguindanao Governor Bai Mariam Sangki-Mangudadatu, EOC Incident Commander (IC), the military, MHT cluster leads, MSSD BARMM and IPHO. Governor Sangki-Mangudadatu highlighted the flagship program of the province, the AGILA HAVEN – a peacebuilding mechanism and program on the prevention of violent extremism with emphasis on community education, livelihood opportunities and inclusive development. Moreover, the military and the IC reiterated the importance of coordination with the ICP as regards access to the displacement areas for the IC to conduct validation. Other discussions during the meeting include sharing of updates relative to the Maguindanao displacement, the ongoing military operation and its potential impacts and consequences to the displaced families, and the identified protection needs and issues, responses, gaps and recommendations, particularly on WASH, health and nutrition and protection, including child protection and gender-based violence related concerns.
Also, UNHCR attended the 1st Bangsamoro Peace and Security Summit for Sustainable Local Development organized by the Bangsamoro Government on 24 May 2021 in Cotabato City. The summit aimed at defining ways to resolve the ongoing conflict in certain areas in BARMM particularly in Maguindanao, through adoption of a comprehensive “whole of region approach” by key development players to conflict-stricken communities. It also aims to identify more coherent strategies and areas for cooperation between the Bangsamoro Government, humanitarian and other development partners towards durable solutions to displacement and sustainable development. The summit highlighted the presentation of security updates in BARMM, sharing of personal stories of some IDP representatives, advocacy messages from various sectors, presentation of concrete framework and action plans, and commitment signing. Various BARMM government and ministries, national representatives such as the Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary, Secretary of National Defense, and development, and humanitarian and peace actors attended the event.
Lastly, UNHCR assisted the Ministry of Social Services and Development (MSSD) in BARMM to develop two major projects that seek funding allocation for 2022 from the BARMM government. The two proposed projects focus on community-based disaster monitoring and reporting, and establishment of an information management unit which both aims to strengthen the capacity of the ministry to manage disaster responses. This technical support is part of the disengagement strategy of UNHCR that aims to ensure that the State has the capacity to take on the protection role of the organization. MSSD being a protection agency is the primary agency that UNHCR is planning to handover its responsibilities.
For more information, please download the May Displacement Dashboard.
