This article was written by Alyasser H. Ansary and Jo-aine Abdullah, Field Assistants of the Marawi Recovery Project (MRP) assigned in Barangays Papandayan and Guimba. Yasser has been working with CFSI since June 2018 while Jo joined MRP in April 2018.
Aisah, her husband, and their ten children were no different from the thousands of displaced persons who fled the perils of the Marawi siege two years ago. On the day of the Siege, Aisah’s family had no other option but to run away from their home in Barangay Papandayan, Marawi City to escape the intensifying firefight. At the time, there were no vehicles on the streets that they could hire; everyone was running for their lives. Aisah’s family moved from one place to another in order to survive, eventually finding refuge in Ozamis Occidental and then in the Municipality of Saguiaran.
To say that tending a displaced family of ten is difficult is an understatement. Sufficient supply of basic needs, social security, access to education, and a stable source of income were just among the many problems they faced for their protection and welfare. In hopes of receiving relief and assistance from the government, Aisah and her family decided to move back to Marawi. However, because they lacked the required civil documents, including birth registration, they could not be issued a Disaster Assistance Family Access Card (DAFAC).
Fortunately, help came when relatives and other individuals assisted Aisah and her family in acquiring the necessary documents to be granted assistance. Moreover, they were identified as program participants of the Marawi Recovery Project (MRP), a recovery initiative being implemented by the Community and Family Services International (CFSI). Aisah was granted with livelihood support, which became their primary source of income. Their children were also assisted by CFSI in securing their birth registrations. At present, their kids are finally enrolled in school.
After surviving the siege and the series of difficulties they faced, Aisah shared that with the support provided to her and her family, she is now empowered and able to share her blessings to her relatives and other people. Through the support they received, Aisah and her family no longer have to run.
The Marawi Recovery Project (MRP), implemented by CFSI, is supported by the Australian Government and aims to promote the protection, psychosocial, and economic recovery of around 6,500 households affected by the Marawi Siege.
To learn more about the Marawi Recovery Project (MRP), you may view the MRP Project Brief here.