Community and Family Services International (CFSI), in partnership with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), continues to facilitate the distribution of Core Relief Items (CRIs) in response to the identified needs of displaced families affected by the ongoing Philippine Military operations against criminal and non-state armed groups in the Provinces of Sulu, Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur, as well as families affected by clan or ‘RIDO’ conflicts in the Province of South Cotabato.
Starting February 2019, CFSI, as part of the agreement with UNHCR in managing the warehouse operation containing prepositioned CRIs, has facilitated the transport and delivery of CRIs. This has benefited a total of 2,072 families that were displaced in Patikul (Sulu), Tubaran, Binidayan, Pagayawan, and Marawi (Lanao del Sur), and Lake Sebu (South Cotabato).
On 19 March 2019, CFSI and the Local Government of Datu Unsay, Maguindanao led the distribution of relief items to 215 families with special needs that were displaced from the so-called Salbo-Pagatin-Mamasapano-Shariff Aguak (SPMS) box. Prior to the distribution, close coordination with the LGU had been done and the selection of the beneficiaries and distribution were undertaken with consultation with LGU agencies such as Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO) and Municipal Disaster Risks Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO).
By the end of April 2019, CFSI was able to facilitate and deliver various CRIs, namely: 774 plastic tarpaulins (4×5 meter); 179 plastic tarpaulins (4×50 meter); 1,049 kitchen sets; 2,015 sleeping mats; 1,525 solar lamps with mobile phone chargers; and 1,711fleece blankets.
This initiative are being implemented by CFSI under the Mindanao Protection Project (MPP), with the support of the UNHCR. The MPP aims to address the immediate protection needs of people affected by armed conflict and facilitates the rapid integration and rehabilitation of IDPs and returnees in Central and Northern Mindanao, and island provinces through the implementation of QIPs and protection monitoring trainings. The CRI aims to contribute to the protection of persons forcibly displaced due to armed conflict and other forms of violence, prioritizing women, children, and persons with special needs in order to prevent deterioration of their physical wellbeing and high exposure to protection risks and violation of their rights.