Displaced families in Marawi receive Ramadan food packs

FOOD PACK beneficiaries line up to receive their Ramadan provisions. (Photo
 by ARMM-HEART)

COTABATO CITY ---  More than 300 internally displaced families currently residing in two tent sites in Marawi City received Ramadan food packs from the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) government on last  May 15.

The distribution was held during the ARMM People’s Day held in Marawi City led by the Humanitarian and Emergency Action Response Team (ARMM-HEART), a key initiative of the regional government.

Myrna Jo Henry, ARMM-HEART information officer, said the distribution of food packs “is an act of charity” and will help the evacuees prepare for the Ramadan that  started last May 17.

The food packs contain rice, fresh fish, dried fish, loaves of bread, peanut butter, coffee, energy drink, sugar, and other food items.

“As we observe the holiest month of Ramadan, may we find time to pray for the lives of thousands who have been affected by the conflict,” ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman said.

Marawi City was under siege by elements of local terrorist groups when they started the assault on May 23 last year. With the terrorists occupying major parts of the city, fighting went on for five months, or until October, destroying properties and forcing thousands of residents to flee their homes.

The regional government has been prompt in extending its assistance to the evacuees since the crisis started. It immediately established a crisis management committee and several operation centers to facilitate the delivery of assistance to the affected families.

In June 2017, at least a month since the siege started, the regional government released P77 million as assistance to the victims of the crisis. ARMM-HEART also formed a rescue team that helped save civilians trapped in areas where heavy fighting was reported.

The team also helped in delivering additional assistance from the regional government and the provincial government of Lanao del Sur to the affected individuals since last year.

In earlier reports, Governor Hataman said the regional government has provided P450 million last year for the rehabilitation of Marawi. An additional P930 million will be released for Marawi this year. (Bureau of Public Information – ARMM/ MINDANAO EXPOSE’)