Task force: No humanitarian crisis in Marawi City

There is no humanitarian crisis in Marawi City because the government is working to address the needs of residents displaced by the fighting, according to Task Force Bangon Marawi spokesperson Kristoffer Purisima.

Purisima disputed the contention of French aid groups that warned of a humanitarian crisis in Mindanao, saying basic needs were not covered.

Mindanao has been placed under martial law because of the conflict in Marawi, with government troops locked in battle with extremist groups claiming allegiance to the Islamic State.

“We do not think it’s a humanitarian crisis because we’re addressing the situation that’s happening,” Purisima said in a press briefing.

“We know what’s happening on the ground and we’re addressing all the needs of our IDPs, whether they be in our evacuation centers or home-based,” he added.

‘Delicate’ situation

The government is aware that the situation is “delicate,” he said.

It is expected that the displaced residents would have a lot of needs that have to be fulfilled, he said.

“We always have representatives on the ground to go around,” he added.

The postconflict needs assessment is being done, and this will be used to craft a comprehensive rehabilitation and recovery program, he said.

“If we are not doing anything on the ground, maybe it can be said that there’s a crisis. But I differ on that because I know that we’re doing everything we can on the ground,” he added.

Poultry distribution

Meanwhile, Purisima said the task force would study proposals to distribute poultry products to evacuees in Marawi, as their prices had dropped because of the avian flu outbreak in Luzon.

“I’m very sure that the Department of Health is on point to this and they’re studying this,” he said.

“We will study this, because of course, the welfare of our evacuees, our IDPs are at stake,” he added.