A COVID-19 humanitarian response mission for the internally displaced people (IDPs) affected by the Marawi siege was conducted by the officers of Lombay Ka Marawi (arise Marawi) and IMCC Center For Extension and Social Development Services, Inc. (ICESDev.) on December 2, 2020 in Marawi City. A similar mission was also made in Iligan City for the IDP-members of Lombay Ka Marawi on December 3, 2020.
The humanitarian mission in Marawi led by Esmeralda Padagas, ICESDev Executive Director, and Dhino Bazer, Vice President of Lombay Ka Marawi, was assisted by the Civil Military Operations Command of the Philippine Army led by 2nd Lt. Eric Canete. The team distributed a truck load of hygiene kits, vitamins and rice to members of Lombay Ka Marawi.
“This is the second wave of our COVID 19 humanitarian response for the IDPs who are members of Lombay Ka Marawi,” Padagas said. Our first COVID 19 humanitarian response was in June 2020 where we distributed rice,” she added.
“Kaming mga IDPs, nawala ang lahat na aming pagmamay-ari: bahay, mga ari-arian, at kahit na ang aming kabuhayan dahil sa siege” (We, IDPs lost everything we possessed: our homes, our personal properties and even our livelihood because of the siege), said Bazer. “Now, with the limited movements due to the quarantine imposed by the government because of this COVID pandemic, how much more sufferings the IDPs are facing? Obviously, the more the IDPs need help,” he added.
The distribution of the relief packages was also assisted by the respective chapter officers of Lombay Ka Marawi in the areas of Rorogagus, Gadungan-Pantaon and Boganga in the city of Marawi and also in Toril, Ubaldo Laya in Iligan City.
The two waves of COVID 19 humanitarian response missions were supported by the Danish International Human Settlement Service (DIB), an NGO based in Denmark and also the Alternative Planning Initiatives (ALTERPLAN) that is based in Quezon City. ICESDev, ALTERPLAN, DIB and Lombay Ka Marawi are currently collaborating in implementing the project dubbed as: The IDP Initiative: Towards Inclusive, Democratic and Productive Settlements in Marawi and Iligan. These NGOs have long been collaborating in helping the IDPs since the outbreak of war in Marawi.
