Story originally published by the Philippine Information Agency on June 01, 2023
By Claire Gigje
MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur (PIA)–As it carries on its humanitarian service in target areas, the Community and Family Services International (CFSI) receives positive feedback from both its fellow stakeholders and beneficiaries.
This international non-government organization has been working here and in some parts of the province of Lanao del Sur since the 2017 Marawi siege by extending various forms of aid, such as livelihood, psychosocial and protection support.
CFSI Executive Director Dr. Steven Muncy conveyed that their success and all the positivity they have been getting could be attributed to the collective effort of their personnel, partners, and their project recipients.
“The CFSI does what it does but we cannot do everything we do without our partners, including the most affected communities and persons,” he said.
Notwithstanding the acclamation they obtained, Muncy stated that there are still some matters needing to be improved to become better.
However, he was optimistic that with great teamwork, they could overcome every concern.
As such, Muncy heartened all parties involved to maintain their zeal until they could reach their prime objective, which includes the return of all siege-impacted residents to their former homes in ground zero.
“We are grateful for the opportunity to work with you. To everyone, do not give up. Keep working. There is more to be done, and we will only be happy when everyone is able to go back to the most affected area and enjoy the wonderful facilities that are now in place. Marawi is on the rise and we are happy to see it happening,” he said.
Earlier, Muncy announced that they would be extending their service for two more years, seeing that people in their covered places still have significant needs despite being assisted for some years already.
He looked forward to working with the city and provincial government, and other actors to support more.
Muncy said they are contemplating how they can ease the burden of people as they gear up in marching back to their abodes in ground zero, and help resolve issues related to the Marawi Compensation Board.
“Some people will probably progress very quickly through that system. Some people might be a bit slower for a variety of reasons, and we want to make sure that they know we are not going to leave them behind,” he said.
Apart from this, Muncy shared that they plan to expand their areas of coverage as well. (CRG/PIA-10/Lanao del Sur)
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CFSI has provided support to over 65,000 people in Marawi through the Marawi Recovery Project (MRP) and the Marawi COVID Recovery Project (MCRP), supported by the Australian Government since 2017. With a lot more to do, CFSI remains committed to rebuilding lives in partnership with LGUs and people affected by the 2017 Siege of Marawi and the COVID-19 pandemic.