ICRC: Families displaced by Zamboanga siege to receive cash aid

MANILA, Philippines – International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and a local chapter will distribute on Wednesday cash assistance to 5,000 families displaced by the Zamboanga City siege in September, Inquirer Radio 990AM reported.

It said a total of P33 million has been earmarked for the program’s implementation.

The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Zamboanga Chapter said each of the 5,000 families, including those from Badjao communities, will receive at least P1,000 each. The cash assistance will be distributed at the Vitaliano Agan Coliseum in Zamboanga City starting Wednesday and until Saturday this week.

The group said the city social welfare development office and the Department of Social Welfare and Development are helping them identify the beneficiaries.

For almost a month, government forces and members of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) clashed in Zamboanga City, resulting in the death of more than a hundred people.

The burning of residential areas displaced tens of thousands of families and left 10,160 homes totally destroyed.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said at least 23,794 families or 118,819 persons from 15 villages were affected by the Zamboanga City siege. Total cost of damage was pegged at P200 million as of October.

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