ICC Note: The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs is upset by the fact that tens of thousands of people affected by the Marawi siege in Philippines last May are going hungry in temporary shelters. Some victims complain that the distribution of food and other aid by the government’s social welfare office has not been fair, prioritizing delivery to those staying at government evacuation centers. At least 400,000 people were affected by the IS-inspired conflict last year and their road to recovery has been bumpy.  

01/10/2018 Philippines (UCA News) – Tens of thousands of people affected by last year’s five-month conflict in the southern Philippine city of Marawi are going hungry in temporary shelters, aid workers said.

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs estimated that at least US$43.7 million worth of food and supplies are needed in the first quarter of the year.

On Jan. 9, about 40 displaced families living in tents in the village of Pacalundo in Baloi staged a protest march to the town center.

They complained of hunger, overcrowding and a lack of privacy in their shelters set up by local organizations.

Acmilah Taguranao, 39, complained that the distribution of food and other aid by the government’s social welfare office has not been fair.

“Why is it that they prioritize those in government evacuation centers? We also need help,” Tagurano told ucanews.com.

She said repeated complaints have been ignored.

“We saw that [aid agencies] prioritize people living in government-declared evacuation sites, especially those staying in schools and gymnasiums,” said Taguranao.

At least 400,000 people were affected by the conflict, which started on May 23 last year when Islamic State-inspired gunmen attacked and occupied the city.

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