The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has provided a total of P1,980,000 worth of relief assistance to families in Lanao del Sur affected by the armed clashes that started on February 20 between the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and an insurgent group in the area.

In an interview with media during the opening of the ASEAN Conference on Program Evaluation for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) yesterday, DSWD Undersecretary Vilma B. Cabrera disclosed that that the Department has delivered more than 5,000 family food packs in coordination with the Lanao del Sur Provincial Social Welfare Development Office (PSWDO).

The DSWD also established its Disaster Operations Center in Marawi City to facilitate immediate response to the needs of the affected families.

Relief supplies are repacked  at the operations center in Marawi City and sent to the affected municipalities of Butig and Lumbayanague.

“We have also given them hygiene kits and malongs. Aside from that, we have rendered psychosocial support for the affected families in the evacuation centers,” she added.

Usec. Cabrera also explained that DSWD regional personnel  cannot enter the areas where the armed conflict is ongoing because of security risks.

As of press time, a total of 5,690 families or 27,023 persons have been affected by the clash. Of this, some 1,141 families or 5,705 persons are inside six evacuation centers.

Meanwhile, DSWD-Field Office XII activated its Quick Response Team (QRT). The Risk Reduction and Management (RRM) staff are on 24/7 duty.

The Municipal Action Teams (MAT), Municipal Links (MLs), and enumerators in Lanao area and Marawi City were also mobilized to assist in disaster relief operation. ###