Philippines - IOM is providing emergency assistance to hundreds of families who have fled the conflict in the west of Mindanao in the southern Philippines.

Almost 140,000 people have been displaced by fighting between the army and Muslim MNLF rebels in and near Zamboanga City, which has a population of 775,000.

Over 10,000 houses have reportedly been destroyed and the humanitarian situation is dire, particularly in evacuation centres, where IOM is directing its emergency aid. 

IOM is distributing and installing 380 tents and 300 laminated plastic sheets among evacuees in Cawa-Cawa Shoreline evacuation centre to the south of the city. The tents were donated by the Rotary Club, whilst the plastic sheeting was supplied by IOM.  

IOM has also deployed a team to take part in a joint rapid needs assessment being carried out in evacuation centres by the humanitarian community and government.

“It is a dangerous situation with ongoing fighting hampering the response and displacing more families every day,” said Marco Boasso, IOM Philippines Chief of Mission. “Over 100,000 people are temporarily taking refuge in these very crowded evacuation centres,” he added.

IOM is tracking displacement using its Displacement Tracking Matrix, the most accurate and widely used tool for monitoring population movements and humanitarian needs in emergency situations.

It is working closely with the Department of Social Welfare and Development as co-lead agency assisting with camp coordination and camp management.

For more information please contact

Conrad Navidad
IOM Philippines
Email: cnavidad@iom.int
Tel. +63 0908) 865 4543