Manila Bulletin

18 June 2009 DAVAO CITY - With the growing concern towards those affected by the recent spate of conflicts in some areas in Mindanao, donor-funded programs will continue to reinforce coordinated relief and rehabilitation efforts to address the basic and immediate needs of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Mindanao, officials said.

In the recent Media Forum of the Mindanao Information Network for Development and Peace (MINDPeace), the Action for Conflict Transformation (ACT) for Peace Programme and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) said that they are looking at a more coordinated effort in delivering basic services to IDPs in conflict-affected areas in Mindanao.

“We need to deliver basic services and support to the IDPs in a more convergent, coherent manner,” said Diosita Andot, ACT for Peace Programme manager.

She added that through a convergent effort with other donor-funded programs, the most basic and immediate needs reached the intended IDPs.
“We agreed to hold activities by cluster, such as health and nutrition, food, and early recovery efforts and the water and sanitation for health (WASH),” said Dr. Jacqueline Kitong, UNFPA-Southern Philippines office team leader.

She said that through collaboration, the help that will be brought to IDPs will be holistic.

Andot also said that with proper coordination with the local government, they ensure that the relief support goes to the right IDPs.

She explained that IDPs are identified at the village level, for which the list of such is submitted to agencies concerned.