Aussie aid to support pandemic response in Lanao del Sur

ILIGAN CITY—The Australian government has poured in P106 million in aid to beef up COVID-19 response and recovery initiatives in Marawi City and six other towns in Lanao del Sur province. A news release from the Australian Embassy said the support would be implemented through a partnership with humanitarian organization Community and Family Services International (CFSI). It will assist up to 4,000 families restart livelihoods and recover from the combined impacts of the 2017 siege and its resulting displacement and the coronavirus pandemic. The Marawi COVID Recovery Project is an expansion of the previous Australia-CFSI partnership that provided livelihood support for those displaced by the Marawi conflict. The project will also help facilitate birth registration and provide community rights awareness to prevent and address gender-based violence. “Australia has been a strong supporter of development, peace and stability in the southern Philippines for over 20 years. Our commitment to the people and the recovery of Marawi is steadfast,” said Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Steven Robinson. —RYAN D. ROSAURO