Soldiers and volunteers attend to kids displaced by the fighting in Marawi during an activity meant to help them recover from the stress caused by the conflict. PHOTO FROM JOINT TASK FORCE MARAWI
Seventy-one children displaced by the ongoing conflict in Marawi City received psychosocial support organized by a US alumni organization with the help of the military and Lanao del Sur Provincial Department of Social Welfare and Development.
Games, art exercises, socialization and entertainment were held to address the stress experienced by the children affected by the crisis, Joint Task Force Marawi spokesperson Captain Jo-Ann Petinglay said in a statement on Tuesday.
The beneficiaries were temporarily sheltered at the Lanao del Sur Capitol Evacuation Center. About 400,000 people been displaced since the fighting between government troops and ISIS-linked Maute Group broke out on May 23.
The series of activities, which aimed to entertain and empower the children aged between 3 to 12 years old, were held at the Lanao del Sur Provincial Social Hall in Marawi City.
Soldiers from the Joint Task Groups Ranao and Tabang were among those who participated in the program to mingle with the children
“Despite the language gap, beneficiaries were noticed genuinely laughing and enjoying the series of activities and the interactions,” Colonel Tom Sedano of the Joint Task Group Tabang was quoted as saying.
”The ultimate goal is for them to enjoy and to have fun,” he added.
Petinglay said the program is expected to help the children from evacuation centers cope with their current situation and enjoy even just for a short time. Frances Mangosing/IDL
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