The Japanese embassy in Manila said Sunday that it will provide assistance for the thousands of civilians displaced by the ongoing conflict between government troops and the separatist Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in the southern Philippines.
The 81,835-U.S. dollar project is expected to benefit 15,000 people or about 3,000 families in the municipalities of Datu Piangand Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Maguindanao Province, who have fled their homes since the armed-conflict escalated in the restive south in August this year.
Over the past months, hundreds have been killed and more than 600,000 displaced in the conflict.
In the two municipalities alone, more than 60,000 persons or equivalent to 11,500 families were forced to leave their homes and livelihood resources to escape the continued fighting in their communities.
"Until the situation becomes more stable, these people are expected to stay in evacuation centers, such as schools, mosques, warehouses and makeshift tents. However, the prolonged stay of the IDPs (internally-displaced persons) in the congested evacuation centers has exposed them to various health and sanitation problems especially among the children and elderly," said the embassy in a statement.
Covered under the Japanese aid are the provision of 3,000 mats, 6,000 blankets, 3,000 mosquito nets, 3,000 water containers and 1,500 plastic sheets for tents to improve the present condition of the internally displaced persons.
Last week, the European Union approved a fresh grant of 3.5 million dollars for war-displaced people, which will be added to the 7-million-dollar aid announced by the European Commission in October.
The MILF has been fighting for a separate Islamic state since 1978. It signed a ceasefire in 2003 with the government, but skirmishes have been going on and off along with the peace talks between the two sides.
Source:Xinhua
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